Take a Knee

Taking a Stand while Taking a Knee

Last year during a preseason game for the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem to protest the oppression of minorities.  Kaepernick was praised for taking a knee and many other teams and players followed  in response.

 

Weeks ago,  as the regular season entered its second week of football, President Donald Trump called for team owners to fire any player who does not stand for the National Anthem. Many NFL teams kneeled, stood with their arms locked together, or  stayed in the locker room.

 

One member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Army  veteran,  Alejandro Villanueva, was the only player to stand in front of the tunnel and participate in the National Anthem. Later on, Villanueva issued an apology saying it was a ¨mistake standing for the National Anthem.¨  

 

After  NFL teams started taking a knee, the ratings  dropped by ten percent, ticket prices  decreased, and the attendance at games diminished. Ever since the teams started kneeling or staying in the locker room, videos of fans burning their team merchandise started surfacing. People are even boycotting the NFL and opting out of watching the games.  

Controversy will continue on whether the players are right or wrong. As more teams continue the protest, other national leagues will start following. The issue of taking a knee during the National Anthem is far from over.