San Francisco 49ers
quarterback Colin Kaepernick again refused to stand for the playing of the
national anthem before his team’s preseason loss to Green Bay at Levi’s Stadium
in Santa Clara Friday night.
"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."
According to NFL.com, the 49ers issued the following
statement about Kaepernick's decision: "The national anthem is and always
will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor
our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens.
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."
Kaepernick isn’t the first or only professional
athlete to refuse to stand for the national anthem. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who was
known as Chris Jackson prior to converting to Islam, refused to acknowledge the
flag while playing for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. Abdul-Rauf said that the
banner conflicted with some of his Islamic beliefs.
Kaepernick, who hasn’t played since last November,
lost his starting job last season due to poor play and injuries. He made his
preseason debut against Green Bay, completing two of six passes for 14 yards.
Following the game, 49ers coach Chip Kelly said that there has never been any
talk of cutting Kaepernick. Kelly said that, despite his quarterback’s
comments, he will make “football decisions” only about
Kaepernick.
Kaepernick should leave his mansion behind and get
out and visit some of the world’s real garden spots so he can see what
oppression and murder actually look like on a grand scale. I’m certain Colin
would be more than happy to live in, say, North Korea. Syria or Sudan, perhaps?
The most recent Global Slavery Index (GSI) estimated
that nearly 30 million people remain enslaved globally, many of them in Africa.
Only the U.S., Western Europe and Australia are essentially slave-free. Ironic,
isn’t it? I’m sure Colin perused the GSI before making his “statement.”
Mauritania alone has well over 100,000 slaves in its midst, while Benin, the
Ivory Coast, Gambia, Gabon and Senegal all have comparatively high rates of
slavery, as well.
Kaepernick signed a 6-year, $114,000,000 contract
with the 49ers, with $61 million of it guaranteed. This is an average annual
salary of $19,000,000, or $1,187,500 per
game. Not bad for someone who may not even start.
The median annual per capita income in Liberia is
$118. In Niger it’s $307, Uganda $296. (To be fair, it’s $579 in Sudan)! No,
you certainly wouldn’t want to appear “selfish” Colin.
Kaepernick is biracial, and was adopted and raised by white parents and siblings.
I will certainly be exercising my right not to stand
for Colin Kaepernick.
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