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Instead of attempting to make a real difference in the world, many professional athletes are protesting during the National Anthem
There are certain things that you sit down for: watching television, eating dinner, doing homework, driving a car, but the national anthem shouldn’t be one of them. Usually the announcer will say something along the lines of “please rise as we honor our country with the playing of the national anthem, gentlemen please remove your caps,” and most Americans will stand and act accordingly.
In August, San Francisco 49ers back-up quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat for the national anthem during their preseason games. Kaepernick has “improved” to kneeling every week since his initial protests.
Kaepernick’s protest has sparked more players to sit down during the national anthem. Recently players on the Seahawks, Broncos, and Dolphins, have also been sitting and kneeling in protest.
The purpose of the National anthem is to honor our country and those who have fought and died protecting your right to make millions of dollars each year playing football, Mr. Kaepernick. There are many disabled veterans who are still alive today who cannot even stand for the national anthem because they were hurt serving the same flag that you are protesting. From the Revolutionary War, to the two World Wars, to the current war on terrosism, hundreds of thousands of Americans have died for this country.
When important public figures, such as professional athletes, decide to sit for the National anthem, their wide reaching influence might impact the kids who idolize them.
At the Homecoming pep assembly in our own school, multiple students were spotted sitting while their classmates all around them stood up and showed support for their country. If it weren’t for the famous athletes doing it first then teenagers would not be following them.
Instead of just sitting on your ass in front of thousands of people, why don’t you go out in the world and make a real difference, and not just draw attention to yourself during the time everybody else in the stadium is giving their full attention to the flag, Mr. Kaepernick? It’s your right to protest, but don’t excercise it during a time to honor our country.
