I gotta wonder if Colin Kaepernick was actually protesting racial issues in America or just angry that Blaine Gabbert could actually wind up with the starting job so he just sat and sulked.
I just don't get it. I am sorry.
There are bumper stickers and coffee mugs as well as tee shirts and head bands that could be worn to promote the social awareness to your cause.
Just sitting there during the National Anthem isn't anything like sitting at a Woolworth counter and getting spit on or arrested for doing so.
Those kids had guts. Kaepernick has none in my opinion.
I think he is deflecting his stupidity. He has that right.
This is, after all, America. You can be smart or stupid. Everyone has that right.
Many veterans and servicemen paid the price for that right.
I officiate High School football in New Jersey. Before every game our crew lines up, cap in hand over our hearts while the Anthem is played before the game.
At that moment I thank God for sending my soul to America. I could've been sent to some third world outpost without DIRECTV.
Now Kaepernick isn't the only idiot in this country. There are plenty of others who just don't see people and accept them for who they are.
Yes ignorance is abundant in the USA. We have bigots and evil around every corner.
I think most bigots just aren't educated properly. I think if given an opportunity to spend some time with other races the walls that separate them can come down.
Kaepernick's efforts are actually adding another row of bricks. People will be polarized now at sporting events as some sit while most will stand for our Anthem.
What used to be a unifying gesture will now lead to dirty looks, comments about disrespect and I am sure even lead to violence.
He could've bought a hat instead. He could've used so many different avenues to make his point.
But any of those would've required planning and some careful thought.
I don't think he did either.
Phins Up!!!
Carl Leone
Dolfan since 12/25/1971
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
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Unity is hard to come by these days Carl- I feel you there. Hang in there, and let's have the team to pull us together this year.
Loyalty too. Seems they are becoming extinct.
I don't disagree with you that using the national anthem to protest has probably built more walls than inspired rational discussion about our country, however he can't wear a hat on the sideline, or hold a poster, hell players can't even wear "Beats" headphones during warm-up per the Bose contract. The way to make his point heard by as many people as possible was by making a bold statement. Now everyone knows where he stands on the issue of police violence but no one is talking about that, they are focused solely on how "un-American" it is for him to use his first amendment rights to criticize the government
I'd like for him to pull crap like that in N.Korea. They'd probably remove all his Tattoos slow dripping Bleach one drip at a time.
Mattbatt, he COULD were a hat. ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS PUT IT ON. The NFL couldn't physically stop him.
He would pay a fine. He may have faced suspension. That would've been paying a price for his believes. But he sat like a coward.
Mattbatt, he COULD were a hat. ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS PUT IT ON. The NFL couldn't physically stop him.
He would pay a fine. He may have faced suspension. That would've been paying a price for his believes. But he sat like a coward.
Good stuff. 2 additional thoughts: 1. As a 18 year military brat, it bothered me st first for my dad. However, I fully acknowledged his right to do it. The Malcolm X & Fidel Castro teeshirt he wore in the locker room shows me he is an idiot. I love Malcolm X. but Castro was one of the most repressive characters in history. Kaep know less than my 14 year old step son. He has no business making this stand. And 2. Miko Grimes saying the she agreed with Kaep because the flag was just a white master symbol of oppression made me want to fashion a muzzle for that stupid bitch.
Yep Mad-man. Grimes may have forgotten that the Stars and Stripes freed the slaves. That millions lost their lives to save the Union. I wonder how she would feel today if the Confederacy had won.
Yes there are still issues with race relations in this country. But the US government has enacted laws against discrimination. The houses of Congress can do no more. It's now up to each citizen to abide by the laws. To blame the USA is just rediculous. The blame is upon those individuals who are not abiding by the law of the land
I for one am tired of this alleged racial injustices in America. We have a black president, we have a black Attorney General, we have more blacks in the NFL than all the other races combined. WE have the NAACP, black colleges, black scholarships, black rights groups, civil rights division, hiring preferences, racial quotas, black history month, black studies classes etc. etc. etc. There are more whites killed in police shootings than blacks. There is more black on white violence than the other way around. There are more whites in poverty. As a white person, i am sick and tired of the alleged racial injustice in this country. PHins up.
@ mattbatt:
I don't feel the least bit sorry for Kaep not being able to wear the headphones of his choice. HE IS MAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, probably on a weekly basis. If they want him to wear Pink Bose headphones for Breast cancer month then so be it! The NFL probably provides them per the Bose contract! Kaep is a spoiled brat just like Joey Bosa!
Alex Boone (former Guard for SF) said it best: "he needs to show a little respect, especially in the position we are in, playing GAME for a living". Could he play football in ANY other country and make the money he makes? NOPE.
And just my 2 cents:
This racial thing in America is real. There is absolutely racism in America. But I don't believe some of the actions against blacks is all racially motivated. What about Black on Black crime?
Fact: there are more African Americans incarcerated right now then there were black slaves.
I believe racism is real, against everyone, me included. I am Hispanic and I see it first hand. But to use it as an excuse to riot in the streets and not respect our national anthem is ridiculous and asinine. Don't like America? LEAVE....
There is no doubt in my mind that this is an ignorant way of protesting. It's disrespectful in countless ways. It reaches out and effects far too many when you sit for our anthem. And the fact that Miko is in his corner just proves my point that there is a better way of going about it. Burnt Grimes will be lucky to get through this season let alone play another. That psycho bitch will finally be irrelevant.
Lawrence, I too have experienced racism. I lived in SoCal for 8 years. I worked in construction then. I made great money, owned my own company, but when out in public was called wetback, had a stuff thrown at me in Laguna Beach, and was actually told to "go home." I was born on an Air Force Base. So, I get it. But, so what?!?!! It was idiot individuals, not the country, or the laws or any thing else. Sometimes, people just want to feel sorry for themselves. I think he is just depressed he is no longer the toast of San Fran.
Agreed MadPhinsFan. How far he has fallen. This whole thing could be the final nail in the coffin too.
RC, agreed. If he pulls that stunt tomorrow, he will be done in San Francisco.
two thumbs up Gary Grimes
First off...there IS racial injustice in this country. If anyone doesn't believe so I encourage you to educate yourself. We, as a country have made FANTASTIC strides...but it does still exist.
Having said that...the only thing that bothers me about Kaepernick sitting out the anthem is I don't believe he has done enough OUTSIDE of that. Sitting out the national anthem doesn't do one thing to change anything or to bring "awareness" to a cause. It just doesn't. Donating money to organizations and actually getting out there and putting forth and actual EFFORT to push legislation or start community programs might actually do some good. Had Mr.Kaepernick protested, and then when asked why he sat out the anthem said, "I protested to bring awareness to what's going on with racial injustice in some communities across America. I have started an organization and donated millions to "such and such" organization and I would love for fans of football to visit our website and sign a petition to Washington to pass legislation that will mandate body cameras on all police and also change laws that protect cops who make bad decisions that end up killing black teens. Thank you." Had he done that...I'm happy and impressed by it...but just sitting out and calling attention to yourself makes you look like an idiot. It's like posting some political rhetoric on facebook about an issue you're upset about but you don't really do anything about it. Sorry Colin. You lost me on this one....I like the message, not the method. You proved how dumb you might actually be.
First off...there IS racial injustice in this country. If anyone doesn't believe so I encourage you to educate yourself. We, as a country have made FANTASTIC strides...but it does still exist.
Having said that...the only thing that bothers me about Kaepernick sitting out the anthem is I don't believe he has done enough OUTSIDE of that. Sitting out the national anthem doesn't do one thing to change anything or to bring "awareness" to a cause. It just doesn't. Donating money to organizations and actually getting out there and putting forth and actual EFFORT to push legislation or start community programs might actually do some good. Had Mr.Kaepernick protested, and then when asked why he sat out the anthem said, "I protested to bring awareness to what's going on with racial injustice in some communities across America. I have started an organization and donated millions to "such and such" organization and I would love for fans of football to visit our website and sign a petition to Washington to pass legislation that will mandate body cameras on all police and also change laws that protect cops who make bad decisions that end up killing black teens. Thank you." Had he done that...I'm happy and impressed by it...but just sitting out and calling attention to yourself makes you look like an idiot. It's like posting some political rhetoric on facebook about an issue you're upset about but you don't really do anything about it. Sorry Colin. You lost me on this one....I like the message, not the method. You proved how dumb you might actually be.
Let's talk about our beloved Miami Dolphins tomorrow PLEASE. PhinsUp!!
I promise
Hrs acting like a spoiled child who didn't get the toy he wanted screw that beady eyed sissy where else can he do what he's doing and make the money he's making he knows that meal ticket us just about over and I for one couldn't think of anybody better for it to happen to than the little boy who didn't get his toy. Boo hoo!!!
Hrs acting like a spoiled child who didn't get the toy he wanted screw that beady eyed sissy where else can he do what he's doing and make the money he's making he knows that meal ticket us just about over and I for one couldn't think of anybody better for it to happen to than the little boy who didn't get his toy. Boo hoo!!!
I agree with Robert Smith, a biracial ex-NFL RB. Check out his take. Basically, he says that Kaep is wrong. The "State does not kill African-Americans with impunity. He says Kaep's statement is ridiculous. He also says "the bigger social issue is that 4 of 5 African-American children are raised without a father which is the bigger social concern." I have no idea if his stats are true. All I know is I have experienced racism pretty much my whole life, so what. It is no excuse not to be the best you can be. I don't blame anyone. My best friend is also mix raced Asian - American, he his bothered by it (racism) more than I. I torment him for it. I call him weak. :) He understands me.
Good thing it wasn't his ball or he might have gone home with it.
I agree with Matt. I also agree with Dave questioning why the national anthem is even played at sporting events in the first place. A phrase comes to mind, bread and circus!
Lawrence, I too have experienced racism. I lived in SoCal for 8 years. I worked in construction then. I made great money, owned my own company, but when out in public was called wetback, had a stuff thrown at me in Laguna Beach, and was actually told to "go home." I was born on an Air Force Base. So, I get it. But, so what?!?!! It was idiot individuals, not the country, or the laws or any thing else. Sometimes, people just want to feel sorry for themselves. I think he is just depressed he is no longer the toast of San Fran.