http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37205032
This article is about Colin Kaepernick Quarterback for the San Fransisco 49ers, an NFL Football team. During their last preseason game on Friday, August 26th, Kaepernick refused to stand up for the national anthem before the game. When he was asked why he did this, he said the following: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people, and people of colour" (BBC). Some fans booed Kaepernick when he went onto the field. The 49ers backed his decision. To paraphrase, they said that any player had the right to choose to participate in the national anthem. Official NFL rules state that a player is "encouraged, but not required" to stand during the anthem.
I agree with the 49ers; Colin Kaepernick should be allowed to make the decision to stand or not to stand during the national anthem. I'm not sure I agree with Kaepernick's rationale. I too see the problems occurring in this country, and the unacceptable treatment of people of colour, but that does not make me love my country any less. The message that he's making is good, but if he's trying to convey an antiUSA message, I don't necessarily agree with him. I do have some sympathy for him, because of some of the encounters I have with other Americans. If I bring up systemic issues about this country, they say "if you don't like it here, then leave". That statement makes no sense because I still love my country, I just want to fulfill our full potential as a nation. As for the implications on Colin Kaepernick: Colin Kaepernick is currently fighting for the role of starting quarterback with Blaine Gabbert. They are different style of quarterbacks, but they're both somewhat talented. If 49ers fans didn't like his actions the coaching staff might opt to use that has a tiebreaker if both quarterbacks are neck and neck in the fight. Although incidents like this usually blow over quickly, and I don't expect fans to be talking about this in a few weeks. I certainly hope this doesn't affect Colin Kaepernick's career as a professional.
This article is about Colin Kaepernick Quarterback for the San Fransisco 49ers, an NFL Football team. During their last preseason game on Friday, August 26th, Kaepernick refused to stand up for the national anthem before the game. When he was asked why he did this, he said the following: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people, and people of colour" (BBC). Some fans booed Kaepernick when he went onto the field. The 49ers backed his decision. To paraphrase, they said that any player had the right to choose to participate in the national anthem. Official NFL rules state that a player is "encouraged, but not required" to stand during the anthem.
I agree with the 49ers; Colin Kaepernick should be allowed to make the decision to stand or not to stand during the national anthem. I'm not sure I agree with Kaepernick's rationale. I too see the problems occurring in this country, and the unacceptable treatment of people of colour, but that does not make me love my country any less. The message that he's making is good, but if he's trying to convey an antiUSA message, I don't necessarily agree with him. I do have some sympathy for him, because of some of the encounters I have with other Americans. If I bring up systemic issues about this country, they say "if you don't like it here, then leave". That statement makes no sense because I still love my country, I just want to fulfill our full potential as a nation. As for the implications on Colin Kaepernick: Colin Kaepernick is currently fighting for the role of starting quarterback with Blaine Gabbert. They are different style of quarterbacks, but they're both somewhat talented. If 49ers fans didn't like his actions the coaching staff might opt to use that has a tiebreaker if both quarterbacks are neck and neck in the fight. Although incidents like this usually blow over quickly, and I don't expect fans to be talking about this in a few weeks. I certainly hope this doesn't affect Colin Kaepernick's career as a professional.
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