Why Did NFL Players Kneel?

A look at the reasons behind the protests by NFL players during the national anthem, and what they hope to achieve.

Introduction

In 2016, then-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick made headlines when he chose to kneel during the playing of the national anthem as a way to protest racial injustice in the United States. His form of peaceful protest drew both support and criticism from people across the country, and the debate over whether or not professional athletes should use their platform to address social issues is one that has continued long after Kaepernick’s initial demonstration.

In 2020, following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, several NFL players chose to once again take a knee during the national anthem as a way of protesting police brutality and racial inequality. This time, however, they were joined by many other professional athletes from different leagues as well as by ordinary people in cities and towns across America who took a knee in solidarity.

The act of taking a knee has come to symbolize much more than just a protest against police brutality; it has become a powerful symbol of unity and resistance against all forms of racism and bigotry. For many people, taking a knee is seen as a way of showing respect for those who have been fighting for racial justice for centuries, as well as a way of highlighting the fact that there is still much work to be done in order to achieve true equality in America.

Reasons for kneeling

In 2016, then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice. His actions sparked a national conversation about these issues, and other NFL players began to kneel during the anthem as well. Players have kneeling to protest a variety of issues, including racial injustice, police brutality, and inequality.

To protest police brutality and racial inequality

In 2016, then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. His protest quickly caught on with other players around the league, and soon became a national news story.

The kneeling protests have continued into the 2018 season, with some players kneeling and others linking arms in unity. The NFL has said that it will not penalize players for peaceful protests, but the issue has divided fans, with some calling for a boycott of the league.

Why do NFL players kneel? The answer depends on who you ask. Some players have said that they are protesting police brutality and racial inequality, while others have said that they are protesting President Donald Trump’s criticism of the league.

Whatever the reasons for kneeling, it is clear that the protests have touched a nerve in America and are likely to continue into the foreseeable future.

To show support for Colin Kaepernick

In 2016, then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made headlines when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. His silent protest quickly caught on with other NFL players, as well as athletes in other sports, and became a lightning rod for criticism from President Donald Trump and others who viewed it as disrespectful to the flag and military.

Kaepernick explained his reasoning for kneeling in an interview with NFL Media: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” he said. “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.”

Since then, several other high-profile athletes have joined Kaepernick in protesting racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem, including Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. women’s national soccer team and NBA stars LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

Reactions to kneeling

When Colin Kaepernick first took a knee during the national anthem in 2016, it was a way to peacefully protest against racial injustice and police brutality. He was joined by a handful of other NFL players, but the gesture did not gain much traction until 2017, when President Trump said that players who kneel should be fired. This ignited a firestorm of protest, with many players taking a knee in solidarity. The act of kneeling has become a symbol of resistance and unity, and has sparked important conversations about race and patriotism in America.

Positive

Many people viewed the players kneeling as a sign of respect. One player said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Players have previously explained that the kneeling is not meant to be disrespectful to the military or to America, but rather to bring attention to the systemic racism that still exists in America. The president has criticized the players for their protests, saying that they should be fired if they do not stand for the anthem.

Negative

Many people have been critical of the NFL players who have chosen to kneel during the national anthem. Critics say that they are disrespecting the flag and the military, and that they should find another way to protest.

Conclusion

Though players stopped kneeling after the 2016 season, the protests began again when President Donald Trump said at a rally in September of 2017 that NFL owners should “fire” players who knelt during the anthem. Players across the league responded by kneeling and linking arms in unity. Trump continued to attack the protesting players, calling them “sons of bitches” and suggesting that they should be removed from the league. In response to Trump’s remarks, more NFL owners spoke out in support of their players’ right to protest.

The protests Spread to other sports as well, with athletes from the WNBA, MLB, and MLS joining in. LeBron James, one of the NBA’s most prominent players, spoke out against Trump’s attacks on the protesting athletes, saying that the president was “using sports as a platform to divide us.”

Since then, several NFL players have continued to kneel or raise their fists during the national anthem as a way to protest police brutality and racial inequality. while others have chosen to remain standing. The protests have continued into the 2018 season, with some players choosing to stay in the locker room during the anthem.