Athletes who show disrespect will only get a taste of their own medicine
September 13, 2016
Over the past two weeks, Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of The San Francisco 49er’s, has refused to stand and recite the national anthem.
When questioned about his act, he responded that he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
There’s nothing wrong with Kaepernick voicing his opinion on an issue, but how he voiced his opinion was wrong.
— Staff Writer Mitchell Smith
Kaepernick has received a massive amount of backlash from fans and fellow athletes. Fellow NFL Players Justin Paugh, Matthew Hasselbeck, and Justin Paugh took to Twitter and voiced their support for the flag, saying it represents those who have died and risked their lives to make our country free.
If Kaepernick refuses to stand recite the anthem of a country that has given him the freedom and opportunity to make 19 million dollars a year for throwing a football, he has that right.
However, he should not disrespect those who have sacrificed their lives, and those who risk their lives everyday, to protect the freedoms that he abuses.
There’s nothing wrong with Kaepernick voicing his opinion on an issue, but how he voiced his opinion was wrong.
There are better ways for someone, especially an all-star athlete, to protest current controversial issues. Michael Jordan recently showed a perfect example of how speaking out should be done.
Jordan voiced his position saying “as a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers. I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well.”
Jordan donated one million dollars to both the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Institute for Community-Police Relations.
More people should follow Jordan’s example, and if Kaepernick truly wants to see change, he should follow Jordan’s approach, and use his wealth and influence to respectfully protest and call for action.
