What Is Taking A Knee In The NFL?

A lot of people are wondering what taking a knee during the National Anthem in the NFL is all about. Here’s a look at what it means and why players are doing it.

Introduction

In recent years, the NFL has been embroiled in a controversy surrounding players who choose to kneel during the National Anthem. The issue came to a head in 2016 when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality. Other players soon joined Kaepernick, and the gesture has become a lightning rod for debate.

Critics argue that the protests are disrespectful to the flag and to the military, while supporters argue that the players have a right to peaceful protest. The issue came to a head again in 2017 when President Donald Trump criticized NFL players who knelt, calling for them to be fired. The controversy shows no signs of abating, and it remains one of the most polarizing issues in the league.

What is taking a knee?

In the NFL, “taking a knee” refers to players kneeling down during the national anthem as a form of protest. The protests began in 2016, when then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the anthem to call attention to police brutality and racial injustice. Since then, other players have joined in the protests, and the movement has evolved to include kneeling, linking arms, and raising fists during the anthem.

The protests have been denounced by President Donald Trump, who has called on NFL owners to fire players who take a knee. In response to Trump’s remarks, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement saying that “divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL.”

Despite the backlash from some fans and politicians, many players have continued to take a knee in protest, saying that they are doing so in order to bring attention to social injustice and promote change.

The history of taking a knee.

In 2016, then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest against police brutality and racial injustice. His silent act of defiance set off a firestorm of controversy, and he soon found himself out of a job.

Other players followed suit, and the practice of taking a knee spread to other sports and became a symbol of social justice activism. Kaepernick’s actions also inspired a nationwide movement to take a knee in solidarity with those who are oppressed.

The origins of taking a knee can be traced back to the civil rights movement, when black athletes like Muhammad Ali and Tommie Smith took a stand against racism by refusing to participate in the Olympic games. Taking a knee is also connected to military protests against the Vietnam War.

Today, taking a knee is seen as a way to protest police brutality and racial injustice. It has also been used as a form of peaceful protest against Donald Trump’s presidency.

Why players are taking a knee.

Since 2016, some NFL players have chosen to kneel during the national anthem as a form of protest against police brutality and racial injustice. The kneeling movement, which was started by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has been denounced by President Donald Trump and some NFL fans. But many others have supported the players, saying that their protests are a valid form of free speech and that they are calling attention to important issues in our country.

The backlash to taking a knee.

The backlash to taking a knee began almost immediately after Colin Kaepernick first did it in 2016. Critics said that the act was disrespectful to the flag and the military, and they called for players who did it to be punished. The NFL initially said that players were not required to stand for the anthem, but they encouraged them to do so. In 2017, the league changed its policy to require players to stand if they are on the field during the anthem, but giving them the option to stay in the locker room if they prefer. Players who do not stand are subject to fines from their teams.

Many players have continued to take a knee during the anthem since then, including several who have done so this season. The protests have been reignited this year in response to the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, and other incidents of police brutality against black Americans. Players have also been speaking out against systemic racism and police brutality more broadly.

The backlash against taking a knee has intensified in recent weeks, with President Donald Trump calling for players who do it to be fired. Several NFL owners have also come out against the protests, although some have supported them. In response to the owner’s statements, some players have said that they will not play if they are made to feel unwelcome by their teams.

The future of taking a knee.

Since 2016, Colin Kaepernick, a former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, has been protests during the national anthem at NFL games to raise awareness of police brutality and racial injustice. Other players have joined in these protests, and the debate over whether or not players should be required to stand during the anthem has continued.

In 2017, President Donald Trump said that NFL players who kneel during the anthem should be fired. The NFL responded by saying that players are encouraged but not required to stand during the anthem. In 2018, the NFL instituted a new rule that requires all players and personnel on the field to stand for the anthem but gives them the option to remain in the locker room if they wish.

The issue came to a head again in 2019 when several high-profile players, including Kaepernick, were not signed by any team after becoming free agents. In response to this, some players kneeled or raised fists during the anthem as a form of protest. It is unclear what the future of taking a knee will be, but it is likely that this issue will continue to be a controversial and polarizing topic.