By KYLE ADAMS
Contributing Writer
One of the best parts about professional sports actually has nothing to do with sports.
Over the past several years sports have provided a heightened stage. A stage where some of the most prominent figures in the industry can support or take issue.
Some of the most significant social issues facing our society can be broadcast to all.
You may recall last season’s Super Bowl, at the end of the halftime show there was a dramatic celebration of marriage equality.It showcased fans holding up rainbow-colored cards, which spelled out a large message, “Believe in Love.”
By now I’m sure everyone has heard the name Colin Kaepernick. If you don’t follow sports you may not even know who he is, but you probably know what he has been doing.
Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, with whom he’s made headlines for taking a stand against social and racial injustice. Well, you can’t really say taking a stand.
Like some other athletes, Kaepernick has been protesting the national anthem before the start of each game by sitting or taking a knee.
Kaepernick’s protest against racial discrimination and oppression has gained a fair amount of criticism, but also a lot of support. The protest has expanded, not only to other teams, but across the country from professional athletes to high school sports.
49ers safety Eric Reid and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane were among the first to follow in his footsteps.
Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, who joined the protest on Sept. 9, said, “I’m not against the military. I’m not against the police or America. I’m against social injustice.”
On Sunday, four Miami Dolphins took a knee, most notably running back Arian Foster. There have also been images of nearly an entire high school football team taking a knee, led by the coaches, during the national anthem.
While Kaepernick has received a vast amount of criticism for his protest, he will continue to not participate in national anthem.
It seems as though he will also continue to gain support. Sept. 11 was a very tough day to protest the anthem, as it was the fifteenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Many people feel that the protests, especially on a day like Sept. 11, are a sign of disrespect.
While the 49ers did not play on Sunday, there were others who showed support to Kaepernick, like the four Dolphins players.
The Seattle Seahawks also gave a different sort of message on Sunday. All of the Seattle players stood for the national anthem, with their arms linked, in an attempt to bring people together.
A criticism Kaepernick has received is that he makes millions of dollars a year and that he is not in touch with the average person’s social issues.
That argument is especially interesting because I have not heard it used against other athletes who have protested racial injustice previously.
Perhaps Kaepernick sitting for the national anthem has gotten people more animated.
At the end of the day, I fail to see how a person’s income has anything to do with the color of their skin and how they feel represented in society.
Everyone is capable of having feelings and capable of standing up, or sit for something that they do or don’t believe in. Kaepernick has also volunteered to donate the first million he makes this season to racial justice organizations.
Each athlete who joins in what Kaepernick started knows exactly what they are getting into.
They know that they will be torn apart on social media. They know that they will be called unpatriotic, and possibly risk losing sponsorships and fans.
But none of those things matter. The issue of racial justice is more important than any amount of money that could be made or any name someone could call you.
These are the moments that transcend sports, and are the moments where you have to admire the leadership and courage of those who choose to stand up for what they believe in.
It is easy to stand for the national anthem and continue to allow social issues to get swept under the rug. Even if you agree with Kaepernick that the flag doesn’t represent everyone, it is hard to take a stand, demand change and ignore the inevitable consequences.
These are the moments that start a conversation and force us to talk about the problems facing our society.
The sports industry has provided an excellent stage for a lot of athletes to make a statement on social issues. Perhaps the most important thing isn’t what our favorite athletes do, but it is the conversation that happens afterwards that means the most.
NBA stars, the Super bowl Halftime Show and Colin Kaepernick have all started a conversation that has dominated the media over the past year.
To actually make progress we need to continue to take a stand and continue to have a conversation about the issues that have the greatest impacts on and in our society.
