What NFL Players Are Kneeling During National Anthem?
Contents
Many NFL players have been kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest against racial injustice and police brutality. Here’s what you need to know about this ongoing movement.
Introduction
Since 2016, some NFL players have been kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. The protests began after then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat and then knelt during the anthem to raise awareness about racial injustice.
The movement gained traction during the 2017 season when President Donald Trump repeatedly criticized players for kneeling and called on NFL owners to fire them. In response, more players began kneeling or raising their fists during the anthem.
The following is a list of NFL players who have protested by kneeling, sitting or raising their fists during the national anthem since 2016.
What is the NFL Players Association?
The NFL Players Association is the professional organization for all NFL players, founded in 1956. It is responsible for safeguarding the rights and interests of the players, and also promotes their health, safety and well-being. The NFLPA is a trade association that serves as the exclusive bargaining representative for all of the league’s 2,000-plus players.
How many NFL players are kneeling during the national anthem?
Since 2016, when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first knelt during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality, other NFL players have joined him in taking a knee.
As of September 2018, there were about 20 NFL players who were kneeling during the anthem on a regular basis, according to Sporting News. That number is down from last year, when about 150 players were kneeling or sitting during the anthem at one point.
Many of the players who are still kneeling are members of the Miami Dolphins, including wide receiver Kenny Stills and linebacker Albert Wilson. Other notable kneelers include Seattle Seahawks defensive end Branden Jackson and San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid.
Who are the NFL players that are kneeling?
As of September 24, 2017, at least 170 NFL players had kneeled, sat, or raised their fists during the National Anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Here is a list of NFL players who have participated in the protests:
-Emanuel Acho, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
-Martellus Bennett, TE, Green Bay Packers
-Malcolm Jenkins, S, Philadelphia Eagles
-Torrey Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
-Chris Long, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
-Michael Bennett, DE, Seattle Seahawks
-Justin Britt, C
Why are the NFL players kneeling?
The protests began in 2016 with then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem to bring more attention to the police killings of black men and other racial injustices in the United States. Kaepernick’s kneeling sparked a movement within the NFL and across professional sports.
Other players joined in his protest, and the movement gained more traction after president Donald Trump said players who didn’t stand for the anthem should be fired.
Many players have said they are protesting police brutality and racial inequality. Some have also said they are standing up for Kaepernick, who has not been signed by an NFL team since he became a free agent in 2017.
What are people saying about the NFL players kneeling?
People are divided on whether the NFL players who are kneeling during the national anthem are doing so out of respect for the flag or to protest racial injustice. Some say that the players are disrespecting the flag and the military, while others believe that the players are using their platform to peacefully protest against police brutality and racial inequality.
What is the NFL doing about the players kneeling?
In response to the protests, the NFL released a statement on September 24th, 2017 saying, “The NFL has a long history of supporting the military and honoring the country’s veterans. We also believe in dialogue, understanding and building bridges between communities. We will continue these efforts while maintaining our commitment to protecting player safety and celebrating our great game.”
Kaepernick first kneeled during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality and racial injustice. He said at the time: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Other players soon joined Kaepernick’s protest, but it didn’t gain widespread attention until President Donald Trump said at a rally in Alabama last month that NFL owners should fire players who kneel during the anthem.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired,” Trump said to applause.
On Sunday morning, Trump tweeted that players should be fired or suspended for kneeling during the anthem, and he also suggested that fans should boycott games if players don’t stand for the anthem.
Conclusion
It is evident that many NFL players are kneeling during national anthem in “`protest against racial injustice and police brutality. This has caused a great deal of controversy, with some people believing that it is disrespectful to the flag and to the military, while others believe that it is a peaceful way to protest against social injustice.
What do you think about this issue? Do you think that NFL players should be kneeling during the national anthem? Or do you think that they should stand up and show respect for the flag? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
