The NFL regular season is almost here.
And with it comes yet another fresh set of controversies.
In my opinion, however, none sticks out more than San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem.
By now, everyone’s heard the news.
Before the start of Week 3’s preseason game between San Francisco and Green Bay, the 49ers’ 28-year-old signal caller refused to stand during the national anthem, igniting a fire across social media and the public alike.
“I’m 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.com.
Kaepernick, who was born in Milwaukee but grew up in Turlock, California, has always been a staunch supporter of civil rights and equality, using his celebrity status as a football star to shed light on important social issues that cloud this country.
“To me, this is bigger than football,” Kaepernick said of his decision, according to ESPN.com.
To a certain extent, he is right.
The issues that we as a country have to deal with are much bigger than a game — a game that Kaepernick makes millions of dollars a year off of, I might add.
But this was never about football to begin with.
The national anthem and the flag of the United States of America have nothing to do with football.
And although the system is flawed, the flag, in my opinion, is not.
It doesn’t represent racism, it doesn’t represent oppression and it doesn’t represent inequality.
Rather, it represents every ideal that this country is supposed to embody: freedom, equality and opportunity — everything that Kaepernick says he stands for.
Don’t get me wrong, Kaepernick has every right not to stand for the national anthem. There is no law-of-the-land or NFL requirement that says otherwise.
It’s a personal choice.
But you should choose to show respect.
Take Usain Bolt, for example.
During the 2012 London Olympics, the Jamaican runner cut an interview short in order to pay respects to the U.S. national anthem that was being played before another event.
If someone who is not even from this country can show respect to its flag, why can’t Kaepernick?
Countless men and women have shed their blood for the ideals this country is supposed to be founded on. Ideals that Old Glory still represents.
Yes, this country is on a wayward path and doesn’t always represent the ideals that it’s supposed to.
And yes, this country needs change.
But for that change to happen, it needs individuals who are willing to take a stand — not a seat.
I don’t necessarily doubt your intentions, Kap.
It’s the method.
Show some respect.
Take a stand now, because there’s a good chance you’re going to be sitting a lot this season.
On the bench.
Ray Boone is a sports writer. Contact him at rboone@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @rboone1994.
San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, left, and Blaine Gabbert stand on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. Green Bay won 21-10. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
