Menu
Sports in Society

Kaepernick's Protest Against Anthem Draws Wide Range Of Reactions From Sports World

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick yesterday addressed his decision to sit during the National Anthem, saying that he "understood what he was walking into by making this statement," according to Will Leitch of SPORTS ON EARTH. The backlash against him likely is "going to be brutal." Additionally, every major African-American athlete is "going to be asked what they think of Kaepernick's protests" in the coming days (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 8/28). THE MMQB's Robert Klemko noted Kaepernick's decision is an "unprecedented move in the vast non-partisan tradition of quarterback behavior" (MMQB.SI.com, 8/27). USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell wrote "more power to" Kaepernick, who "just earned a lot of street cred." Bell: "Somewhere, Muhammad Ali is smiling" (USATODAY.com, 8/27). In N.Y., Ebenezer Samuel wrote Kaepernick has "forced us to take sides, his actions challenging an increasingly fragmented nation to declare him right or wrong." He has "taken his platform and yelled about a nation's problems, much as Muhammad Ali once did, instead of safely whispering a message that could only make friends" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/28). CSNBAYAREA.com's Monte Poole wrote sports are "entering a New Awakening," where African-American athletes are "feeling secure enough to speak up without concern for retaliation or retribution." They are "listening to their consciences, following their hearts" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 8/28). In Chicago, Mike Imrem writes Kaepernick's protest "brought attention to what he believes is wrong in this country." As "uncomfortable as it might seem, that's the American Way" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 8/29).

BRAVE STAND: USA TODAY's Bell wrote the people "so willing to dump on Kaepernick for making his expression public are conveniently denying him the respect that he deserves to do just that" (USATODAY.com, 8/27). BLEACHER REPORT's Mike Freeman wrote the point of Kaepernick's stand is "we can't ask our athletes to be honest, and then when they are, turn on them." Freeman: "Run. Jump. Score. But don't talk." That is the "message many Americans give to athletes." Freeman wrote this "will end Kaepernick's career in the NFL" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 8/27). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio wrote it is "unlikely that other players will stand with Kaepernick by sitting" during the Anthem. But until other players "chime in -- and until more NFL games happen -- it's impossible to know whether Kaepernick’s peers will view the incident as an inspiration or an aberration" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 8/27). THE MMQB's Peter King writes he likes Kaepernick's action, as fans "want players to speak freely and tell the truth -- until they do it, and then we want them back in the same boring mold" (MMQB.SI.com, 8/29). In Chicago, David Haugh writes, "We cannot encourage professional athletes to use their platforms to promote social change only when a majority of media members -- predominantly white men -- agree with what they say and how they present it" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/29).

USING HIS PLATFORM: ESPN's Jane McManus said, "Are we going to get to a point where he can say more about what he thinks? I think we've just gotten past the tip of the iceberg. ... You have a platform, Colin, you have a voice. Now you've demanded the space and I'm willing to listen" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN2, 8/28). ESPN's Mike Greenberg: "If your aim is to bring the conversation to the fore, he has no better way of doing it, because look at all the discussion that has ensued and candidly look at all of the anger that he is obviously proving himself willing to accept." ESPN's Mike Golic: "The whole idea of protesting is to bring awareness to something. ... He brought this more to light than anybody in the sporting world about this situation we're in has. He brought more to light here than the four basketball players standing up at the ESPYs" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 8/29). ESPN's Sarah Spain said, "We're seeing athlete activism become a little bit more of the norm than it is the outlier." But the "precedent in the NFL has proven that there are a lot of very scared owners and coaches who would rather not deal with having to have a player who is as outspoken as this" ("Sports Reporters," ESPN2, 8/28). NFL Network's Steve Wyche said fewer NFLers speak out on social issues because they "don't have guaranteed contracts" like NBAers. But Wyche said when "a lot of times, all of this comes down to your conscience and to principles" ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 8/28). 

WHERE TO NOW? CSNBAYAREA.com's Ray Ratto wrote Kaepernick may "not have changed any hearts or minds, but he has won the right to keep trying." A "very small victory given the issues at hand" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 8/28). YAHOO SPORTS' Eric Adelson wrote instead of asking Kaepernick to "shut up, we should question him more." Adelson: "We should press him on his feelings on gun control, seeing that he posted a photo of himself with an assault rifle three years ago. ... What solutions does he have in mind?" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/27). In Orlando, David Whitley writes under the header, "Colin Kaepernick Making A Misguided Stand" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/29). In Hartford, Jeff Jacobs writes under the header, "Kaepernick's Act Heartfelt, But Divisive" (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/29). In S.F., Al Saracevic wrote Kaepernick's protest "feels misplaced, the latest in a string of incidents that point to poor judgment and a career gone wrong." Kaepernick is "fighting the good fight," but he is "using the wrong weapons" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/28).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/08/29/Sports-in-Society/Kaepernick-Reactions.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/08/29/Sports-in-Society/Kaepernick-Reactions.aspx

CLOSE