Did Any NFL Players Kneel in 2021?
No NFL players knelt during the 2021 season, according to reports. This is a marked change from previous years, when several players kneeled in protest during the national anthem.
Introduction
The kneeling controversy in the NFL began in 2016 when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first took a knee during the pre-game playing of the United States national anthem as a way to protest racial inequality and police brutality. In the years since, many other players have followed suit, leading to both criticism and support from fans, politicians, and other public figures.
The issue came to a head once again in 2020 amid nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by Minneapolis police officers. In response to the protests, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement saying “Black Lives Matter.” Goodell also encouraged teams to listen to their players and be understanding of those who choose to kneel during the anthem.
Amid all of this, President Donald Trump was a vocal critic of players who kneeled, calling for them to be fired or suspended. In September 2020, Trump said that any player who kneeled during the anthem should be suspended for one game.
So far in 2021, there have been no reported incidents of players kneeling during the anthem. However, given all that has happened in recent years, it’s possible that could change at any moment.
What happened in 2020?
In 2020, a few NFL players began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice. The movement gained momentum after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed in police custody. Players from all teams joined in the protest, and some fans even began booing players who knelt. The kneeling protesters were supported by many NFL players, coaches, and owners. However, some people disagreed with the protests, arguing that they were disrespectful to the flag and to the military. In September 2020, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement saying that the league “condemns Racism and discrimination in all forms,” and that “we are committed to continuing to work together with our players to advocate for lasting change.”
What is happening in 2021?
In 2021, there has been a significant decrease in the number of NFL players kneeling during the national anthem. This is in stark contrast to 2020, when many players knelt in protest of police brutality and systemic racism. As of February 2021, only a handful of players have knelt during the anthem, and none have done so during the regular season. The trend appears to be that fewer and fewer players are kneeling as time goes on.
One possible reason for this decrease is that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a new rule in May of 2020 which requires all players to stand for the anthem. While this rule is not technically enforceable, it has put pressure on players to stand out of respect for the flag and country. Additionally, several high-profile players who have previously knelt, such as Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, are no longer playing in the NFL. This may also contribute to the declining trend of anthem kneels.
Whatever the reason, it appears that fewer NFL players are choosing to kneel during the national anthem in 2021 than in previous years.
Conclusion
Overall, it seems that the kneelers have moved on to other forms of protesting or have stopped altogether. Although a few players chooses to kneel during the 2021 season, it was not nearly as common as it was in previous years. Hardline fans of kneeling during the anthem may be disappointed, but for the most part, it seems that the movement has lost its steam.
