Sports Controversies - Part 1

By PK B.

Colin Kaepernick is known for kneeling during the Star Spangled Banner, which has caused a lot of commotion. The kneeling is a way to protest against police brutality and racial inequality or at least he knelt for that reason. Did Kaepernick pay the ultimate price by taking action for what he believed in? 

The story begins in September 2016. Initially Kaepernick was the only player kneeling during the anthem but once then president Donald Trump tweeted about it, other players started to join in. At that time, Trump encouraged people to boycott the NFL, according to SB Nation.  At this point, Kaepernick became a political feature. 

The controversy was over whether the protest was disrespectful to veterans and people who had lost their lives fighting for our nation. At the time of the September protect, Kaepernick told NFL Media, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. "

As time went on, people began to boycott the NFL. Kaepernick continued his protests for social justice and when his contract was up with the San Fransisco 49ers, he opted out. He was never signed by another NFL team.

After two and a half years, he and his former teammate, Eric Reid, sued the NFL. The Alliance of American Football settled and paid $20 million dollars to Kaepernick, according to The Washington Post. “If they take football away….. I know what I stood for is right,” said Kaepernick in an interview with ESPN.

To conclude, did Colin Kaepernick pay the ultimate price? He lost his football career with one simple act. Despite this, he remains relevant. In 2018, he was featured in a Nike ad called "Dream Crazy." The ad made Nike $6 billion, according to Vox. Currently, he has a Netflix show called Colin in Black & White.