President Obama yesterday said that 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick was "'exercising his constitutional right' to bring attention to racial injustice by not taking part" in the National Anthem at the start of 49ers games, according to Kim Hjelmgaard of USA TODAY. Obama, speaking in China after the G20 summit, said that he did not doubt Kaepernick's "sincerity to highlight social issues and noted the player was the latest in a long line of professional sports figures to do so." Obama also "acknowledged that Kaepernick's silent protest was a 'tough thing' for many members of the military to accept." Obama said Kaepernick's decision was "messy," but it was "the way democracy works" (USA TODAY, 9/6). Obama admitted he has not been "following this closely," but said, "My understanding at least is that he is exercising his constitutional right to make a statement." He added, "There is a long history of sports figures doing so. I think there are a lot of ways you can do it. ... I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about" (THEWRAP.com, 9/5).
JOINING THE CAUSE: The AP noted NWSL Seattle Reign MF Megan Rapinoe on Sunday knelt as the National Anthem was played prior to the Reign's match against the Chicago Red Stars "in a little nod" to Kaepernick. Rapinoe after the game said, "It's actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way that a lot of the media has covered it and made it about something that it absolutely isn't." She added, "Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties. It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it. It's important to have white people stand in support of people of color on this. We don't need to be the leading voice, of course, but standing in support of them is something that's really powerful" (AP, 9/5). Former USWNT D Kate Markgraf was not surprised that Rapinoe made a statement, saying, "Of all the players that I’ve had the experience to play with and now cover as an analyst, Megan is probably the one that is most outspoken when it comes to any social issues. She uses her large platform on social media to basically propel any message that she believes in.” She noted it is "going to be fascinating to see how the media covers this compared to how they covered it with actions from Kaepernick” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 9/5).
NOT CHANGING LANES: Seahawks CB Jeremy Lane yesterday said he "would continue to sit" during the National Anthem, something he started doing prior to last week's preseason game against the Raiders. He said, "I'm just going to continue doing what I'm doing." Lane said Kaepernick had reached out "and just told me thank you for standing behind him" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 9/5). Lane said that he has "gotten no real reaction from teammates, coaches or fans." He does not know if any other Seahawks players might join him when they play the Dolphins on Sunday, saying, "I don't want to put no pressure on no one. I'm doing it for me" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/6).
A SUNDAY NO-SHOW? In S.F., Evan Sernoffsky notes Kaepernick on Sunday "was a no-show" at the Third Baptist Church in S.F. after he was invited and "apparently agreed to speak at the prominent black church." Rev. Amos Brown, the church's pastor, said, "Colin had every plan on being here. But because of the rigors of training, he will not be here." Brown would "not elaborate, saying only that he learned that morning that Kaepernick would not appear." Brown, who is also president of the NAACP's S.F. branch, "assured his congregation that Kaepernick would reschedule" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/5). Also in S.F., Scott Ostler cited a source as saying that Kaepernick "hadn't agreed to appear." Ostler: "This could be a case of the Third Baptist people making an incorrect assumption, or a simple mix-up, but it wasn't a case of Kaepernick blowing off a commitment" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/5).
LET HISTORY HAVE ITS SAY: USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes Kaepernick has "demonstrated much courage and a willingness to sacrifice popularity and perhaps even his career for the sake of principle." However, Kaepernick is "facing a mainstream headwind of opposition." Bell: "Makes me wonder: How will this Kaepernick saga be viewed in 20 years?" Perhaps this is a "jumping-off point that takes Kaepernick to legendary status." He has "contributed an indelible moment that helps define this intense era, at an intersection that includes increasing social activism by athletes, the Black Lives Matter movement and this incendiary presidential election cycle." Bell: "Love him or loathe him, Kaepernick matters. He's made people think" (USA TODAY, 9/6). Former S.F. Mayor Willie Brown in his weekly column for the S.F. CHRONICLE wrote he does not think Kaepernick had "any idea what he was getting into by declining to stand" for the National Anthem. Brown: "I'll give him credit, though. By the time the story blew up nationally and Thursday's 'Star-Spangled Banner' before the Niners-Chargers game in San Diego got as much attention as the Super Bowl halftime show, Kaepernick had figured out that taking a knee was a much more respectful look than sitting on his butt" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/4).
SILENCE IS DEAFENING: In Mississippi, Brian Allee-Walsh wrote regardless of people's personal stance on Kaepernick’s protest, the NFL’s "passive/submissive reaction is incredulous." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been "conspicuously silent on the matter save for a prepared statement issued by the league office." Allee-Walsh: "This is the same NFL that issues player fines for orchestrated celebrations, taunting, uniform violations in support of curing breast cancer, etc. ... At least you know where Kaepernick stands, or kneels, on the issue. If sponsors start pulling their advertising dollars, the NFL might change their position" (Biloxi SUN HERALD, 9/4).
