Last season, Colin Kaepernick made headlines by kneeling during the National Anthem. That is largely why he remains unsigned, despite multiple teams needing a veteran quarterback. The hubbub generated by this act of defiance died down towards the end of the season, but this preseason it has resurfaced, maybe larger than before. Michael Bennett and Marshawn Lynch (Teammates on the Hawks from 2013-2015) started again this preseason and now we have a group of Cleveland Browns. My take on it is simple: You have been given freedoms by those who lost their lives for you, and you disgrace them by refusing to honor them by simply standing during our National Anthem.
Thousands and thousands of American soldiers have died, been wounded, seen horrors beyond imagination, all so that we civilians can live safe and free lives. These professional football players would not be able to make millions playing the game they love if not for them. And how do they repay them? By sitting during the National Anthem. That is about the biggest slap in the face I could possibly think of. Standing during the National Anthem is about honoring what millions of Americans have done to make this country so great. It's the civilian's way of saying thank you to everyone who has had a part in shaping our country. Michael Bennett's father served in the Navy and chances are every other player that has sat has a family member that has served in the military, government, or helped shape this country in some way. How can you disrespect your own family like that?
I understand the social and racial injustices. I understand why these certain African American players are trying to take a stand by... not standing. Despite racial segregation basically ending 40 years ago, they are still treated differently, most famously by law enforcement. But sitting during the National Anthem is not the way to take a stand, both literally and figuratively. What does it accomplish? You make headlines, you give reporters a story. That's it. Is it changing laws? Is it changing people's actions? Hardly.
Colin Kaepernick started all of this. If he hadn't, would someone else have? Possibly. But, through his actions and words Colin has proven he is immature and unintelligent. So why are these players following this immature and unintelligent player? Marshawn Lynch has shown to be lacking certain verbal skills, and you could argue the same could apply to Michael Bennett. To be honest, I think it comes down to lack of intelligence. These men do not know the proper and smart way to let their voice be heard. They do not know how to appropriately handle themselves. Look at Russell Wilson. He's black. He's good friends with Marshawn and Michael, having been both their teammate. Yet is he sitting for the National Anthem? Nope. He knows it causes more harm than good. And that's what it comes down to. These actions of sitting for the National Anthem are causing more strife and discord than unity.
What is happening is that the country is getting torn on this racial and social issue. Nothing good comes from tearing something apart, unless a rebuilding plan is in place (which it is not). You have the group that supports Colin, Marshawn, and Michael (and those handful of Browns players), and then you have the rest. Is it the 1960's all over again? More players may join their cause. But I think most of them realize that that is not the correct way to make a statement. Most of them realize that they would be disrespecting their friends and family who have served this country.
So what needs to happen? I can't really say what to do to appease those sitting, but I can say this: They need to find some other method. They need to stand and admit that what they were doing wasn't the correct action. Perhaps an NFL player, preferably a popular face such as a star quarterback, needs to step up and encourage his fellow players to stand during the National Anthem. It would make a better argument if it was a black player, too. A white player might only cause further segregation. I want black people to be treated just the same as white people, but to sit during our National Anthem is NOT THE WAY TO ACHIEVE THAT.
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