The NFL Claps Back

Stand up for social justice.. or just kneel for it!  Sunday the NFL’s teams decided, in an unprecedented act, to collectively stand behind 49er’s former quarterback Colin Kaepernick in protest against social injustice. The question that has risen out of their sudden unity is whether or not it is in fact solidarity with Kaepernick or civil disobedience to President Donald Trump.

Kaepernick remains jobless after being blackballed from the NFL for protesting the murders of minorities by police officers throughout the United States. President Trump took to an Alabama crowd to discuss protesting in the NFL, where he stated that owners should “Get that son of a b**** off the field right now, he’s fired!” This statement lit a fuse as NFL owners, coaches, and players came together and responded by all protesting against his statement and beliefs.

Teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans refused to go to the field during the National Anthem as a sign of  protest while players from teams including the New England Patriots locked arms or took a knee during the anthem.

NY Giants players locking arms in solidarity

 

Cleveland Browns players kneeling and locking arms in unity.

The only question now is, where was all of this solidarity when Kaepernick needed it the most and these same teams refused to sign him? The motive of these teams are questionable on whether they agree and support Kaepernick or just despise President Trump and seek to do the opposite of whatever he says. If they keep these protests up, however, maybe one day freedom of speech and expression will actually be supported by our Commander in Chief.