NFL Player Kaepernick will not stand for the National Anthem

By SJ Otto

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick  has made news by refusing to stand for the National Anthem, which is traditionally sung before almost all sporting events, in the US. Most of his team mates have taken this in stride, but there are always those who make an ass of themselves by attacking those who won't take part in such patriotic blind obedience to the US state.

 His explanation, according to NFL.com:

"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 told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

A statement issued by the 49ers has been reasonable:

"The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem."

Also in the news has been those people who claim he is disrespecting those who "fought for our freedoms." The reality is that our military today is fighting for an empire to rob people from their sovereignty such as in Afghanistan and Iraq. So such complaints are bogus.

There were complaints from executives in NFL front offices, according to CNN:

"I don't want him anywhere near my team," one front office executive said. "He's a traitor." -and- "He has no respect for our country," one team executive said. "F--k that guy."

There have been a lot of hot heads like that. Kaepernick is not the first player to refuse to stand for the National Anthem:

However, refusal to support the American flag as a means to take a stand has brought incredible backlash before and likely will in this instance. The NBA's Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets, formerly Chris Jackson before converting to Islam, refused to acknowledge the flag in protest, citing similar reasons as Kaepernick and saying that it conflicted with some of his Islamic beliefs.

Also:

By taking a stand for civil rights, Kaepernick, 28, joins other athletes, like the NBA's Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony and several WNBA players in using their platform and status to raise awareness to issues affecting minorities in the U.S.

I'm glad to see Kaepernick standing up for his right not to stand for the symbols of blind obedience to the US state, just to take part in a sporting event. We need more people like him.