When former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who is bi-racial, decided he would kneel during the playing of the national anthem to protest racism and policy brutality of young Black men nationwide in an attempt to heighten the country's social conscience, little did he know that he was opening a can of worms by addressing an issue that has been a longstanding problem in this United States of ours.
Instead of creating countless lanes for conversation and ideas to exact change, the uncomfortable nature of the problem led to resistance, avoidance and people basically going to their respective ethnic corners to wait out the storm of controversy.
Kaepernick's stance spilled over into the ranks of his NFL comrades who joined his protest by kneeling at games as well. As a result, the armed forces, feeling disrespected, and dissenting fans voiced their displeasure while disapproving sponsors pulled their sponsorships.
Money lost. For his efforts, Kaepernick has been blackballed and ostracized by the league's 32 teams, none of which has even offered him a job as a backup or given him the opportunity to compete to be the starter for his lead role in all of this. That wreaks of collusion.
You're telling me that this guy, who had the 49ers on the brink of winning a Super Bowl, is not good enough to land one of the 64 jobs if the quarterback position on each team's roster was 2-deep or one of 99 if it were 3-deep? Simply preposterous!
As a direct result of the protests, the NFL, feeling compelled to stop the bleeding of dollars from its vast bank account, announced its new policy to end kneeling during the national anthem, a policy that Commissioner Roger Goodell stated would "keep our focus on the game and the extraordinary athletes who play it. This season, all-league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem."
You mean the same kind of respect the NFL showed the armed forces when it charged millions to stage ceremonies that honored the men and women who serve, who put their lives on the line to protect this country, who bleed the red, white and blue in a true show of patriotism?
You mean the league that implemented a rule that is unconstitutional? You mean the same league that scapegoated its players who were merely exercising their first amendment right? You mean the league and its owners who took it upon themselves to enact a new policy without first discussing the matter with the NFL Players Association?
You mean the league that chose not to have any real dialogue concerning the real reason for the protest in the first place - racism and the police brutality of young black men throughout this country?
The ongoing problem was brought to light again when body-camera footage of Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown's arrest and tasing was released by the Milwaukee Police Department in which the perpetrating officers were suspended following an investigation for using intimidation tactics and excessive force. The Bucks released a statement in full support of Brown that in part read as follows:
"The abuse and intimidation that Sterling experienced at the hands of the Milwaukee Police was shameful and inexcusable. Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated case. It shouldn't require an incident involving a professional athlete to draw attention to the fact that vulnerable people, in our communities, have experienced similar and even worse, treatment."
You mean the NFL, who chose not to take an active role in helping implement change? Incidents like the one involving Brown and a laundry list of others provide the very impetus and reason behind players continuing to kneel.
The new policy even had President Donald Trump chiming in, saying the NFL is "doing the right thing" with this policy.
What?
"You have to stand proudly for the national anthem. Or you shouldn't be playing. You shouldn't be there. Maybe you shouldn't be in the country."
The people of this country need effective leadership from the most visible office in the land that's going to work to resolve this problem, not skirt the issue. Because it's such an uncomfortable, sensitive subject, no one's really open to candid discussion be it the National Football League or President Trump and at this rate, no one ever will be. So much for progress. So much for change. So much for making America great again.
So much for the NFL's new policy to end players kneeling during the national anthem, a direct violation of the players' constitutional rights.
