Page 31 - Oct Nov 2017

NFL Players Kneeling During National Anthem: How Colin Kaepernick Started a Movement and Why
Vice President Mike the game, Kaepernick told Saturday before our next

Pence also left a game NFL.com that he chose game to discuss how I
early in Indianapolis when to remain seated during could get involved with
the visiting San Francisco the traditional singing of the cause but also how we

P 49ers knelt during the na- the national anthem as a could make a more power-

O tional anthem before fac- way to peacefully protest ful and positive impact on
L ing the Colts on Oct. 8. the shootings of unarmed the social justice move-
I But despite the recent black people and police ment. We spoke at length

C media attention, the act of brutality in the country. about many of the issues
E peaceful protest during the “I am not going to stand that face our community,
national anthem at NFL up to show pride in a flag including systemic op-

B games has actually been for a country that oppress- pression against people
R going on since the 2016 es black people and peo- of color, police brutality

U season, when then-San ple of color,” Kaepernick and the criminal justice
T Francisco 49ers quarter- told NFL Media in an ex- system,” Reid wrote in

A back Colin Kaepernick clusive interview. “To me, the Times op-ed. “We also
L remained seated during this is bigger than football discussed how we could
I the song before the team’s and it would be selfish on use our platform, provided

T first preseason game. my part to look the other to us by being profes-
Y Learn more below about way. There are bodies in sional athletes in the NFL,
the origins of kneel- the street and people get- to speak for those who are

ing during the national ting paid leave and getting voiceless.”
anthem, the latest on away with murder.”
Trump’s feud with the On Sept. 1, 2016, during

NFL and more. In a recent New York the 49ers’ next preseason
Times Op-Ed, 49ers safety game, Kaepernick and

Kaepernick takes a knee Eric Reid said he also Reid kneeled together
against police brutality didn’t notice his team- during the singing of the
Kaepernick started the mate’s silent protest until national anthem.

2016 preseason off by that third preseason game The pair, Reid said, had
refusing to stand during against the Green Bay made the decision to

the national anthem, but Packers, but once he real- switch to a kneeling posi-
it wasn’t until the 49ers’ ized what was going on he tion after speaking with
third preseason game on wanted to support Kaeper- former NFL player and

Aug. 26, 2016, that any- nick and his message. retired Green Beret Nate
one took notice. Following “I approached Colin the Boyer.

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