NFL Players Kneel During National Anthem
Caption: Steelers offensive tackle and Army Veteran Andrew Villanueva stands alone during the national anthem. Photographer: Getty Images New York Post http://nypost.com/2017/09/25/steelers-alejandro-villanueva-embarrassed-by-lone-wolf-act/.
“O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” During week 3 of the NFL’s regular season, players and team officials chose to kneel, lock arms, sit, and even stay in the locker room during our national anthem. Although, several players chose to not stand during the national anthem, other players showed solidarity by locking arms, kneeling with hand in hand, or staying in the locker room as a team decision. Players were in protest for equal treatment and justice for all, but particularly directed their “movement” towards minorities.
Many of those who knelt were also in protest to President Trump’s comments before and after Sunday during a rally in Alabama, and later on twitter. During Senator Strange’s rally on Friday, Trump stated: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say get that son of a b**** off the field right now. Out, he’s fired.” Trump also announced on twitter: “If players want the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not YOU’RE Fired. Find something else to do!”
The controversy of kneeling began when the 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick chose to kneel during last year’s 2016 season. He protested the treatment of minorities by policemen and refused to “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Since protesting, Kaepernick remains a free agent and has not been signed by another team after being released. Many believe he hasn’t been signed because of teams not wanting to get further involved in controversy.
Teams with players who chose to kneel or sit during the anthem include the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, and New Orleans Saints. The number of players who knelt per team ranged from only two to several dozens. Three other teams chose to stay in the locker room during the anthem including the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Pittsburgh Steelers. All three teams did not leave the locker room until the anthem was over. The only exception was Steelers offensive tackle and former Army Ranger, Alejandro Villanueva who chose to stand outside the tunnel leading to the locker room. Villanueva hand-over-heart, stood alone while his teammates remained in the locker room. Over the weekend his jersey sales skyrocketed as he now is the NFL’s leading player in sold merchandise. The 6 foot 9, 320 pound lineman will continue to donate his jersey and apparel revenue to military non-profits.
Over 200 players chose to kneel during the weekends anthem which was a major increase from only six the weekend before. After President Trumps comments and major controversy towards the NFL’s handling of players decision to protest, the debate over kneeling has gone viral. What was a controversy over just one individual has spread to several hundreds and tension seems to be at an all-time high.
Many ask what this means for the NFL in the future as many disagree with the decision of players to kneel or not participate during the anthem. Last year a Quinnipiac University poll “found that only 38 percent of those supported NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem” (Miller). A recent “Reuters poll found that 72 percent found the protest to be unpatriotic but also that 64 percent agreed there should be no punishment or fine” (Miller). Anyone who chose to not participate or stand for the national anthem was using their first amendment rights to peacefully protest, but should also ask themselves if protesting during our nation’s most faithful and beloved time for unity and patriotism is the preferred way to seek equality for all. Our national anthem is a time when we as Americans unite and see all as equal citizens to recognize and honor the men and women who have served, protected, and died to preserve our liberties and opportunities to prosper in a safe environment.
We as fans and supporters of our favorite players and teams look into sports as an opportunity to get away from politics and instead come together in support for the most watched sport in America. The ever-growing controversy has changed the face of sports and its ideals. There is no telling what side fans of American sports will take in the future, and no telling if tension between race and equality will settle or increase. Athletes should use their civil liberties to the fullest extent, but should not in the process disrespect our country, flag, and veterans who have a deep and hardened appreciation for the values they fought to protect. If athletes either intentionally try to undermine our flag and the values that it represents or not, they should all agree that sports are not a favored atmosphere for heated politics.
Americans will continue to come together in times of trouble or tragedy, but will we see more unity in the growing tension of politics in sports? As long as our flag is flying and our anthem is honored, all citizens will share and admire the freedoms and rights that protect us as Americans and our country.
Research obtained from:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/24/us/nfl-trump-take-knee-protests/index.html
http://www.denverpost.com/2017/09/24/nfl-players-kneel-national-anthem-protest-photos/
As a senior and editor of The Gig Harbor Sound, Jordan takes pride in representing his school, while making sure that all voices are heard at Gig Harbor...