Protests are growing across the NFL and beyond, sparked by Colin Kaepernick's kneeling and sitting during the National Anthem in protest of racial and social injustices in America. Find out what happened this weekend inside...
Plenty of NFL games took over Sunday tv, and so did talk of pre-game protests by players. Many are taking a note from 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and not participating int he National Anthem to show that America is not currently living by the words of the song with the racial injustices that are allowed to perpetuate this country.
KC Chiefs baller Marcus Peters raised his fist in the air during the National Anthem on Sunday.
So did Patriots ballers Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty.
Four Miami Dolphins players took a knee.
Blonde model Kate Upton decided to chime in and assume they are not proud to be American, while never once speaking publicly about racial injustices themselves. Y'all know Black Twitter wasn't having that ish:
I'm lost. Did these guys say they weren't proud to be American? https://t.co/zmQJrPTcMJ
— Black Thought (@blackthought) September 11, 2016
Maybe you can be proud to be an American and also protest those things that you think aren't so great about America. https://t.co/klwSIB4DNR
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) September 11, 2016
They sure do love some black athletes until they "get out of line," right Kate Upton? pic.twitter.com/DDLY76dLz2
— Benjamin Dixon (@TheBpDShow) September 12, 2016
This is how Kate Upton's uncle showed his love for those who risked their lives
Have a stadium full of seats, Kate. pic.twitter.com/ZlBoIgydBH
— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) September 12, 2016
She tried it.
At the Seahawks game, all players and some coaches on the team, as well as fans in the stands, linked arms during the National Anthem as a show of solidarity against injustices but still standing for the flag. There's more than one way to protest, and we applaud Seattle for doing it their own way.
Yet and still, people are still mad that football players are doing something other than hitting other men on the field. *shocker* And NFL players are being criticized for joining in protesting on the field and sidelines in the best way they know how. The irony? Football fans around the league boo'd President Obama while he appeared on screens in a pre-recorded video in stadiums before the games talking about patriotism, our troops, and 9/11. The New York Times reported that folks boo'd during the pre-game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals.
And there was more where that came from. But somehow, that's not making headlines as "disloyal to America."
The crowed BOOED when Obama's recorded speech was introduced to the RAVENS crowd. #NflGirlfriendspic.twitter.com/mOyEiNKL4U
— Dabney Porte (@DabneyPorte) September 11, 2016
More boos than cheers for Obama pic.twitter.com/hdTThQh8Ak
— Rob Crilly (@robcrilly) September 11, 2016
Here's President's words:
"It's Sunday, and here in America that means it's time for football. But on this day 15 years ago the world was shaken. Towers crumbled. Thousands of our fellow Americans lost their lives. Our nation and the whole world mourned as one. Yet as we saw in the days and weeks that followed, and what has become even clearer in the years since is that the legacy of September 11th is not one of terror and fear but of resilience and hope. Because 9/11 didn't change us as a nation. Instead it revealed who we are and who we have the capacity to be. The bravery of our first responders. The example of those who lost loved ones. The service of a new generation of heroes who signed up to wear our uniform. That's who we are. That's who we've always been. A big hearted people full of courage and optimism. And on this 15th anniversary of a very dark day that's the light that America continues to shine for the whole world to follow. God bless this country we love. Enjoy the games."
And many folks are calling out fans for their hypocrisy:
Hmmm... did I just hear ppl booing the president while standing for the flag? How does that work?
— Dante Howard (@DanteHoward) September 11, 2016
Seahawks fans booing Obama and shouting stuff during moment of silence. That's definitely not disrespectful to our military and country.
— Seattle Faithful (@SeattleFaithful) September 11, 2016
so booing Obama during a moment of remembrance and silence for 9/11 victims is ok, but kneeling during our anthem is disrespectful?
— Brendan Buza (@BOO__ZA) September 12, 2016
How divided is Country when Obama (58% approval rating), gets boo'ed at every NFL stadium in country for talking 9/11 heroism before games?
— Kyle Leith (@KyleLeith) September 12, 2016
By the way, President Obama's approval rating is now at 58%, the highest it's been since Summer 2009 (and a pretty high number for any President). When the sheer presence of excellence that happens to be attached to a black man,throws certain people into a tizzy of polarization....
Go figure.
Last week, Brandon Marshall lost a partnership deal after standing up for his rights and the rights of others.
“Although we have enjoyed Brandon Marshall as our spokesperson over the past five months, Air Academy Federal Credit Union (AAFCU) has ended our partnership,” president and CEO Glenn Strebe wrote Friday in a statement on the company’s Facebook page. “AAFCU is a membership-based organization who has proudly served the military community for over 60 years. While we respect Brandon’s right of expression, his actions are not a representation of our organization and membership. We wish Brandon well on his future endeavors.”
On the flip side, coaches, fans in the stands and others across the league have been joining in by ocking arms with players and each other during the national anthem to show their solidarity against injustices.
Photos: AP