Protests continue to roil communities in the wake of recent police-involved shootings. But as street demonstrations persist, protests involving the National Anthem continue to grow on professional football fields after San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to kneel four weeks ago to show his frustration with racial injustice. The movement is growing, with players from the US Women’s soccer team, high school teams, WNBA teams, even some cheerleaders, opting to kneel in solidarity.
NFL Players Association executive director George Atallah predicts this form of silent protest will continue to catch on.
“I think that as long as things don’t change in America I think you’ll see athletes across all sports and other citizens will continue to raise awareness around the injustices that are existing in our country. And I think that’s a good thing,” Atallah says.
See more: NFL Ravens Benjamin Watson “I’m Going to Stand with Pride”
But as some athletes are discovering, the anthem protests have a price. Kaepernick and other players are receiving death threats and losing endorsement deals. The NFLPA is standing by the players even in face of Roger Goodell suggesting that this form of protest may by less than patriotic.
“The very definition of patriotism is to stand up for what you believe in,” Atallah says. “We can’t expect our athletes to just shut up and play. They are members of our community. They’re citizens of this country and the have the exact same rights that you and I have.”
Watch Atallah’s full interview here.
JULY 27, 2024
August 5, 2024JULY 27, 2024
August 5, 2024
Lawsuits Target Programs Focused on Helping Minorities
March 17, 2024Lawsuits Target Programs Focused on Helping Minorities
March 17, 2024
MARCH 16, 2024
March 17, 2024MARCH 16, 2024
March 17, 2024
Ford Foundation President on Funding fight for Equality
April 30, 2023Ford Foundation President on Funding fight for Equality
April 30, 2023
New Rosa Parks Documentary Dispels the Myth of Her "Accidental" Role in Civil Rights Movement
October 23, 2022New Rosa Parks Documentary Dispels the Myth of Her "Accidental" Role in Civil Rights Movement
October 23, 2022
OCTOBER 22, 2022
October 23, 2022OCTOBER 22, 2022
October 23, 2022
Civil rights scholar says America ‘at a moment of reckoning in so many areas’
June 8, 2022Civil rights scholar says America ‘at a moment of reckoning in so many areas’
June 8, 2022
FEBRUARY 26, 2022
February 27, 2022FEBRUARY 26, 2022
February 27, 2022