By Peyton Capellen Posted October 14, 2016
This preseason in the NFL backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a huge stand by sitting down as the rest of his team and fans rose for the national anthem.
When reporters asked Kaepernick his reasons for sitting down these were his remarks:
“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 said when interviewed by ESPN.
Kaepernick started alone in his protest, but since then several NFL players have joined his protest throughout the league.
The country responded in outrage. Some fans burned his jersey and lashed at him on social media, while others showed support.
Some say it was a publicity stunt. If it was it has definitely worked. In one week the NFL players’ jersey sales skyrocketed. Selling more jerseys in a week than he had in the past eight months.
Kaepernick has changed from sitting down to kneeling during the anthem and claims he will continue to do so until he sees change.
Although Kaepernick has been criticized for his actions it is his First Amendment right to express his opinion. Many iconic athletes such as Lebron James have taken a stand in the past over the issue and Kaepernick obviously wanted to make a stand what better way to do it than when millions of people are watching, even if many disagree with him he has gotten the publicity that he wants.
