In 2012, the San Francisco 49ers were in a bit of a bundle at the early parts of the season when starting quarterback Alex Smith was underperforming. With Smith not living up to standards, backup Colin Kaepernick came to the spotlight as the 49ers’ new starting quarterback. Kaepernick not only took over, but became a huge sensation as he led the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII. The Niners lost that game 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens, but Kaepernick was quickly surfacing as a bright young star in the NFL.
Fast-forward to pre-season football in August of 2016. Kaepernick, three and a half years after that glorious NFC title run is now the backup again with league veteran Blaine Gabbert as the starter. Kaepernick has struggled ever since the 2014 season where he signed a six-year extension worth $126 million. The Niners have gone through three coaches (Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula, and now Chip Kelly), and have not made the playoffs since 2013. Kaepernick has expressed that he wants to be traded and hopes to regain the fame he received as the Niners starting quarterback.
Well, Kaepernick did grab the media and fans attention on August 26th in a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. During the National Anthem, Kaepernick remained seated while both teams stood for the nation’s colors. Of course, the talk after a unenthusiastic preseason game was all about Kaepernick’s actions before the game.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game.
"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.”
Kaepernick’s actions as well as his words brought great attention around not just the NFL but across the country. NHS Senior Nick Calbo, who was not aware of who Kaepernick was or of his football career prior to this event, had a lot to say on his actions.
“I think it’s hypocritical for others to criticize him for disrespecting America when exercising his fundamental freedom of speech, if he sees an issue he should follow through with it,” Calbo said, “I didn’t know him before, I’ve heard of Black Lives Matter not through him and if he has a fan base, he has the potential to be effective because I think he can sway under more influential people.”
Fellow NHS Senior Alex Trompetta contrasts with Calbo’s opinions on the incident saying, “I think he is doing it to bring attention to himself, and I don’t know it will change anything. I agree with his right, don’t agree with his policy.”
Almost two weeks since the incident, many fellow athletes and celebrities have come out in support of Kaepernick’s actions. In the following preseason game the Niners had against the San Diego Chargers, Kaepernick once again did not stand for the anthem but instead knelt down instead. Not only did Kaepernick kneel but he had his teammate safety Eric Reid beside him.
Kaepernick has inspired other athletes, including a player from his rival team the Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane, to join in on such actions. It is reported that both Kaepernick and Lane don’t know each other well, but Lane demonstrated that he is in support of Kaepernick by sitting on the Seahawks bench during their preseason game on September 1st against the Raiders.
Athletes from other sports, including U.S. women's national team star Megan Rapinoe, knelt during the national anthem during a September 4th game.
"Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties," Rapinoe told American Soccer Now.
In addition musicians J.Cole and Trey Songz have shown their support by wearing Kaepernick jerseys during their recent concerts. But above all, Kaepernick even got got support by the President of the United States, Barack Obama.
"I'd rather have young people engaged in the argument and trying to think through how they can be part of our democratic process than those who are just sitting on the sidelines," Obama said at a press conference during the G20 Summit.
All in all, Kaepernick has brought much attention to the issues in America with his bold actions. These occurrences get people discussing about the country and become very patriotic with whatever their opinion may be. One thing is clear from this, however; Kaepernick is so into these movements that he is forgetting point that he is competing to stay at his job as a professional athlete.
Image Courtesy of greenecodemocrat.com