At least people have finally stopped talking about how unpatriotic Gabby Douglas is for standing with her hands in front of her instead of at her side during the national anthem after the team final at the Olympics. Talk about making something out of nothing!
Our latest national anthem controversy involves 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. As you probably know by now, Kaepernick didn't stand for the anthem prior to San Francisco's preseason game against the Packers on Friday night. Kaepernick later said that he did it as a protest in response to what he feels is the mistreatment against African Americans and minorities in this country.
Now, nowhere does it say that people have to stand for the national anthem. Even the NFL said that players are "encouraged but not required" to stand. San Francisco's carefully-worded press release said: "In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem." Even 49ers coach Chip Kelly told reporters that it's "his right as a citizen" and that "it's not my right to tell him what to do."
The public reaction to Kaepernick's protest is far less understanding. He's been called "spoiled" and "selfish," which are probably the nicest things anybody has said on the matter. A lot of people, including some of Kaepernick's teammates, are downright offended. Some people feel like he's taking a swipe at military servicemen and women who fight and sacrifice to give Kaepernick the very rights he has as an American--like the right to protest. NASCAR driver Tony Stewart called him an "idiot" who needs to learn what police go thru and respect the job they do. Likewise, former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh took exception to the "method of action" his former QB used.
One of the biggest critics was Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Brees spoke to ESPN.com on Monday night, explaining that he felt "compelled to speak out" because the protest had been "bothering him all day." Brees doesn't disagree with Kaepernick's decision to protest. What he doesn't like is his decision to disrespect the flag. Brees called the American flag "sacred" and noted the irony that Kaepernick is choosing to sit down and disrespect the flag, which symbolizes the very freedoms to speak out. Giants punter Steve Weatherford was also extremely critical. His Facebook page is full of photos of veterans (including the late Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman) thanking them for their service while at the same time calling out Kaepernick. Personally, I think Weatherford took it a little unnecessarily over-the-top (and most of the criticism directed back his way isn't totally unjustified), but at least you know where he stands.
People are obviously going to be divided on this issue, and everyone is entitled to their opinion (another thing which makes America great). The San Francisco police union has demanded an apology. Even our next president has chimed in (don't worry, he fired back at both of them).
However, it is worth noting that Kaepernick is slated to make $11.9 million this year, so he's certainly not as "oppressed" as the people he's protesting for. Likewise, and this is perhaps the most relevant part, Kaepernick is a mixed-race man, who was adopted and raised by white parents. When the 49ers were in the Super Bowl three years ago, that was one of the biggest storylines. I have no idea what it was like for Colin Kaepernick growing up and, at the risk of sounding ignorant, he probably never experienced that "oppression" either.
He obviously has his reasons for his protest, but I can't help but feel it's more about making the statement than anything else. Kaepernick is making his point, and he's doing it successfully. People are talking about him and the issue that he's bringing up.
Kaepernick is also putting the 49ers in a very difficult spot here. He took them to a Super Bowl as the starter and was the reason Alex Smith got traded to Kansas City. But he was also benched last season and isn't a guarantee to make the roster (for reasons that have nothing to do with this). In fact, Kaepernick has done his protest at all three of San Francisco's preseason games, but nobody noticed at the first two because he wasn't even dressed.
According to the sources of FOX's Jay Glazer, the 49ers are seriously cutting Kaepernick and his $11.9 million salary. And it has nothing to do with his political views. It's because they feel like they're better off with Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder at quarterback, and they don't feel like paying him that much to sit on the bench (if he even dresses). If they release him and he signs somewhere else, the 49ers' cap hit will only be the difference in his salaries.
San Francisco's got a very difficult decision on its hands. If they cut Kaepernick before the start of the season (which is evidently a very real possibility), it'll look like a retaliatory move. But if they keep him on the roster just for the sake of keeping him on the roster, that doesn't do anybody any good either.
Whatever the 49ers do, Kaepernick isn't helping his case by getting involved in a non-football controversy that's completely of his own making. They might simply decide it's worth eating his salary just to be done with him and the distraction. Teams have done it before (the Browns are paying Johnny Manziel, who isn't even on their roster, more than the Broncos are paying their starter, Trevor Siemian). That might actually be the best thing for everyone.
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