Are NFL Players Still Taking a Knee?

As the NFL season enters its final stretch, we take a look at whether players are still kneeling during the national anthem.

Introduction

Since 2016, NFL players have been “taking a knee” during the playing of the national anthem as a way to protest against racial injustice and police brutality. The protests have been controversial, with some people arguing that they are disrespectful to the flag and to those who have served in the military.

In recent months, there has been renewed debate about whether or not NFL players should continue to kneel during the anthem. This is due in part to the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Many people feel that the NFL should do more to support its black players and to use its platform to speak out against racial injustice.

At this time, it is unclear if NFL players will continue to kneel during the national anthem when the 2020 season begins.

What led to the protests?

The protests began in 2016, when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Other players soon joined him, and the kneeling movement spread to other sports as well.

While the protests initially caused some backlash, many people eventually came to see them as a powerful form of peaceful protest against racism and police brutality. In 2019, after several high-profile incidents of police violence against black people, the kneeling protests regained momentum, with several NFL players renewing their commitment to the cause.

It’s difficult to say how many NFL players are currently taking a knee during the national anthem, as there is no official count. However, it’s clear that the number of players participating in the protests has declined significantly since 2016. This is likely due in part to the fact that fewer players feel the need to kneel now that the issue of racial inequality has become more visible in the public discourse. Additionally, many players may simply be tired of dealing with the backlash they face from some fans and media members when they take a knee.

The protests continue

Nearly a year after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality, the gesture has become a symbol of resistance for athletes across the country.

In the NFL, at least 21 players have joined in the protests this season, including Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and 49ers safety Eric Reid. But the demonstrations have also elicited strong reactions from those who see them as disrespectful to the flag and to the military.

President Donald Trump has been one of the most vocal critics of the protests, and he has called on NFL owners to fire any “son of a bitch” who kneels during the anthem.

In October, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that while he believes players “should” stand for the anthem, he also recognizes their right to peacefully protest.

“We believe that our game has great power in uniting people,” Goodell said during a speech at an event for business leaders in New York City. “We believe in that power more than ever today.”

The NFL’s response

In the wake of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and other high-profile cases of police brutality, NFL players have recommitted to protesting racial injustice. In 2016, then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began taking a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality against Black people. Other players soon joined him, and the protests became a league-wide movement. But after President Donald Trump criticized the players and called for them to be fired, many owners adopted a new rule requiring players to stand for the anthem or stay in the locker room. The rule was met with criticism from Players Coalition, an organization of NFL athletes committed to social justice, and it was eventually put on hold amid negotiations between the league and the NFL Players Association.

Then, in June 2020, amid nationwide protests following Floyd’s death, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement saying “we were wrong” for not listening to Kaepernick and other players who were peacefully protesting. He also encouraged teams to sign Kaepernick. In July 2020, Goodell announced that the league would be donating $250 million over 10 years to social justice causes.

The player’s response

When Colin Kaepernick first took a knee during the national anthem in 2016, he said he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Kaepernick’s demonstration quickly spread to other NFL players and became one of the most controversial topics in sports.

Since then, the protests have continued off and on, with some players taking a knee while others remain standing. In 2017, President Donald Trump called on NFL owners to “fire” players who kneel during the anthem, and some team owners responded by banning the practice.

As of 2020, there is no formal policy banning players from taking a knee during the national anthem, but there has been no widespread movement among players to resume the practice either. In September 2020, after several high-profile police shootings of Black Americans, a group of NFL stars released a video pledging to “stand up for what we believe in” by using their platform to fight racism and social injustice. However, it’s unclear if this will lead to more player protests during the national anthem this season.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NFL players are still taking a knee even though it has been over two years since Colin Kaepernick first took a knee. The reason for this is because they believe that there is still racial injustice in America and they are using their platform to try to raise awareness and bring about change. Some people agree with their method of protest while others feel that it is disrespectful to the flag and to the country. The truth is, however, that these players are using their First Amendment right to peacefully protest and they should be respected for that.