American Athletes Protest National Anthem
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms up for a preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers, in San Diego, Calif., Sept. 1, 2016. He's been criticized for refusing to stand for the national anthem.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms up for a preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers, in San Diego, Calif., Sept. 1, 2016. He's been criticized for refusing to stand for the national anthem.
The National Football League opens its season in cities across the United States this weekend.
Fans will be cheering for their favorite teams and players during games Sunday and Monday. But many people will also be paying attention to what happens before the game.
Lady Gaga sings the national anthem before the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game.America’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” is played before many sporting events in the U.S. This has been the case for about 100 years.
In most cases, fans and players stand up, look toward the flag, and sing the words to the song.
But recently, one player has not done that.
Colin Kaepernick is a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Kaepernick did not stand for the anthem before the San Francisco game on August 26. The game was an exhibition. The results do not count toward the teams’ standings.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick answers questions at a news conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick answers questions at a news conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers.
Colin Kaepernick said he chose not to stand as protest. He said he was objecting to the way black people and people of color are treated in the United States.
He spoke about police killings of unarmed African-Americans. He said “there are bodies in the street” and “people … getting away with murder.”
There was mixed public reaction to Kaepernick’s action.
The Associated Press news agency talked to two fans at a game the following week. The 49ers were playing the San Diego Chargers.
Leo Uzcategui is a Navy veteran. He was not happy to see Kaepernick.
Uzcategui said he understood Kaepernick’s right to express his views. But he objected to the way the athlete did so.
Uzcategui told the AP: “I was in the Navy and I saw men and women bleed and die for this flag … you don't sit during … the national anthem. That is not the way to do it.”
Another fan, Domenique Banks, asked Kaepernick to sign a shirt she had.
“I told him I appreciate what he is standing up for,” Banks said. “Most of the people I talk to say the same thing. I don't like that he is sitting during the national anthem, but I appreciate what he is standing for,” she said.
U.S. President Barack Obama spoke about Colin Kaepernick during his recent Asia visit.
The news media also asked President Barack Obama about Kaepernick.
“I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about,” Obama said. “And, if nothing else, what he’s done is he’s generated more conversation around some topics that need to be talked about. Sometimes it's messy, but it's the way democracy works.”
Other NFL players and athletes in other sports said they support Kaepernick.
American soccer player Megan Rapinoe joined Kaepernick in protest.
American soccer player Megan Rapinoe joined Kaepernick in protest.
Megan Rapinoe is a soccer player and a member of the USA women’s soccer team. She did not stand for the national anthem before her team’s game on September 4.
Rapinoe said she wanted to show support for Kaepernick. She also said that she feels her personal liberties are not always protected because she is gay.
Is Kaepernick’s protest just one part of a trend? It seems athletes might be speaking more freely about social issues than in recent years.
Fayisa Lilesa won the silver medal in the Olympic marathon. He protested Ethiopia's treatment of the Oromo people.
Fayisa Lilesa won the silver medal in the Olympic marathon. He protested Ethiopia's treatment of the Oromo people.
On the final day of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, Ethiopian runner Feyisa Lilesa won a silver medal in the marathon. As he crossed the finish line, he crossed his arms just above his head to make the shape of an “X.”
Lilesa was protesting the Ethiopian government’s killing of Oromo people.
Human Rights Watch says more than 400 Oromo activists were killed last year. The Oromo had used the sign during protests. The Ethiopian government says Human Rights Watch inflated the number of dead.
Lilesa has told reporters he will be punished if he returns home to Ethiopia. That country’s government has said he would be treated like a hero.
LeBron James and other NBA players said this summer that athletes should speak up about social problems.
LeBron James and other NBA players said this summer that athletes should speak up