It’s football season again, which means that the kneeling controversy is back. Two years ago, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick ignited a national controversy by kneeling during the singing of the national anthem before the start of a football game. He was protesting racial injustice in the United States, including the killing of African-Americans by white police officers.
The controversy generated heated, emotional reactions on both sides.
Some players sympathized with Kaepernick’s message and began following his lead by also kneeling during the national anthem. Many fans expressed admiration for Kaepernick for taken a courageous stand against racial injustice. Nike is now featuring Kaepernick in a major advertising campaign.
Other people were outraged over what they perceived as an insult to the national anthem and said that Kaepernick should be fired. Many fans began immediately leaving games when the kneeling started. Others began boycotting games. There are now people who are calling for a boycott of Nike for featuring Kaepernick in its advertising campaign.
As a private institution, the NFL has the right to run its affairs any way it wants. If the NFL says no kneeling by players during the national anthem, then that’s the way it is. Players must abide by the policy. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to play. The same goes for teams within the NFL. Every team must comply with the overall policy of the NFL organization. If fans disapprove, they are free to boycott the games.
