The popularity of playing of the National Anthem before sporting events grew after it was

played before the 1918 World Series. America had just drafted soldiers, including some
professional athletes, to fight in World War I, so the playing of the National Anthem brought
people hope and united the country. The anthem is an “affirmation of, something else—the
United States, the flag, and their underlying ideals,’ Wasserman explained. ‘By participating,
individuals adhere to and adopt the ideas symbolized in the song itself; by not participating, they
send a different, contrary message” (Bomboy).
In efforts to protest racial injustice and police brutality, Colin Kaepernick kneeled as the Star
Spangled Banner plays before his game on August 26th 2016. Refereeing to the unjust deaths of
innocent African Americans like Brown and Garner, Colin said “there are bodies in the street and
people getting away with murder” so he will not “show pride in a flag for a country that
oppresses black people and people of color” and he will not stay silent because… “it is bigger
than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way” (Refusing to Stand for the
National Anthem: Top 3 Pros and Cons). Because thousands of people watch each NFL football
game, Kaepernick’s protest did not go unnoticed; it grew in popularity and in controversy.
Opinions were formed and arguments were made.
To many, kneeling during the National Anthem is wrong not because they do not want to see
politics in sports, but because they believe it is disrespectful and unpatriotic. Like many, Carole
Isham, great-great-great-granddaughter of Francis Scott Key, was shocked to see someone
“dishonor the flag of this country and the national anthem when we have young men and women
overseas fighting for this country, people that have died for this country” Supporters of the
protest likes that it shocks people because it “generates conversation” about the issue at hand
(Refusing to Stand for the National Anthem: Top 3 Pros and Cons).
Former President, Barack Obama, and current New Orleans quarterback, Drew Brees,
understand where the players were coming from, but thought that kneeling during the anthem
could distract people from the real message that athletes are trying to send. Drew Brees called
the protest an “oxymoron” because athletes are “disrespecting that flag that has given you the
freedom to speak out.” Obama expressed his concerns that “the National Anthem and the
meaning it holds for our men and women in uniform and those who’ve fought for us – that is a
tough thing for them to get past to then hear the athlete’s deeper concerns” (Refusing to Stand
for the National Anthem: Top 3 Pros and Cons).
When athletes kneel during the national anthem, it may appear that they are disagreeing with
all that America represents. However, supporters of the protest, like Broncos linebacker,
Brandon Marshall, said that they are “not against the military or police or America at all.”
(Refusing to Stand for the National Anthem: Top 3 Pros and Cons). They are protesting the
oppression of black people not American democracy.
There may be diverse opinions about kneeling during the anthem, but there are specific rules
on standing during the National Anthem. NFL Spokesman, Brian McCarthy stated that “Players
are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem” (Maiocco)
Although President Trump suggested the protesting players be fired, “the players wouldn’t
accept it” so it would be an unwise move (Gould).
More neutral people in this debate will simply argue this point, that it is the athletes right to
peacefully protest, and they are “justified in using their celebrity status to bring attention to
important issues” (Refusing to Stand for the National Anthem: Top 3 Pros and Cons). But, the
argument is not if athletes have the right to peacefully protest during the national anthem before
sporting events. It is about if athletes should or should not exercise their right at that time,
causing the debate to become more about freedom of speech than police brutality (Montanaro).
Which was not the objective Colin Kaepernick had in mind when he first took a knee.
Before the kneeling protest, NBA players wore a shirt with the phrase “I can’t breathe”
during warm ups, to, like Kaepernick, raise awareness about police brutality. Players like Derrick
Rose, LeBron James, and Koybe Bryant have all been seen wearing the shirt during warm ups
before their games. The “I can’t breathe” shirt is a reference to Eric Garner’s final words before
he died of a police officer chocking him (Adande).
LeBron feels that this protests is “more of a shout out to the family, more than anything,
because they’re the ones that should be getting all the energy and effort” (Adande). Koybe said
that the Black Lives Matter movement and the police has reached a “tipping point,” saying that
people are losing faith in the justice system and worry that people, like police officers, are
abusing their authority.
Both kneeling during the anthem and wearing the “I can’t breathe shirt” during warm ups,
had the same objectives. But, the kneeling proved to be much more controversial because it took
place during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.