DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Kaepernick refuses to stand for National Anthem

So glad we didn't sign him

https://www.google.com/search?q=kaeperni...le&ie=UTF-8

My question would be this to him: What about the people who lost their lives in wars who sacrificed so that you (we) could be here today?

In short he said
"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

I think if I was the owner I'd talk to him about our history and maybe figuring out a way that the 49ers could help minorities in the area.... And then tell him that if he doesn't honor the national anthem and flag that he can find a new job

Unacceptable...

Symbols mean different things to different people.

To younger people who have grown up in a more global world thanks to the internet, there isn't the same the United States is the greatest possible place in the world attitude. While most appreciate that good things here, they do see good things elsewhere around the world.

The wars they grew up with weren't "World Wars" against the Axis of Evil. They see a lot more of the collateral damage, while at the same time for most it is a lot less personal.

To some, the flag and anthem represent a corrupt government, Trump and Hillary, and Police brutality as much or more than life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Symbols can change over time. The swastika used to represent peace and prosperity.

p.s. I served. These aren't my personal opinions/beliefs, just observations.

I dont agree with his take

But isnt this a great country in that we can express our disatisfaction??

Thoughts:

It's really to bad that he cannot find a productive way to express his "disatisfaction".

Hopefully, he's countering this disrepsect for our country with something positive.

Have to wonder if he really understands history and the reason we stand for The National Anthem. He needs to read up on Fort McHenry.

Wonder if he really thinks his own personal disrespect will create more respect in society?

Hope he appreciates those who gave their lives so that he can feel/be free to disrespect this country.

He must be a really angry person, and, probably is given the flux of his job status.

Hopefully, he will become a happier individual and see the err of his ways.

Glad he's not a Brown!!!

And have the freedom to express our opinions without interference... People fight...fought and died... So people can have the choice to choose.

It's his right to do so... He has in no way harmed anyone. It's his belief... The power of freedom.

I'm a Vet...and in no way this upsets me.. Because he had the Right to do so...

Wouldn't it suck if he was taken out in the middle of the field and executed... because he didn't have the right to express his feelings ?

He has a right to be a moron and we have a right to think he's a moron.


I love it when plan comes together.

He had the right to show disrespect for our country.

San Fransisco and the NFL have an obligation to not tolerate his behavior.

I'm not a Vet and his actions offend me. Not because of me, but because of you. You served to make a difference. I see this as nothing more than a publicity stunt by a guy that continues to fade into obscurity. He's been a malcontent since he entered the league and he's using his celebrity to leverage future income. I bet he really doesn't care that other African American suffer while he prospers...

I dunno about Deisle, but I didn't serve to protect a song or a piece of cloth. I served the country to protect the people in it, even if they are knuckleheads.

I think somebody really needs to remind Mr Colon Kaepernick that he sucks as an NFL QB, and if he really cares about what's going on in America maybe he should give up football and spend his time working on the problems he sees.

I see this as nothing more than him wanting people to talk about him again.

He was the talk of the league a few years ago..

Now everyone's talking about him again.

I find this funny coming from a guy with white parents who adopted him, raised and supported him, yet he's claiming racial oppression, yeah thats mature, if you have a problem with a perception of racial inequality/oppression in the country, then there are much better ways of bringing change and awareness through public work and charitable donations, even using media and interviews and publications to get your message out. Disrespecting the colors and an anthem of a country that allow you to get paid millions of dollars to play a game while thousands of all races go hungry, live in poverty, wonder how they are going to support their family. Yeah sorry dude, GTFO of the country then. Sure you have the freedoms and liberties to do what you did for sure, but remember it goes both ways, so I'd be careful when treading around combat vets for sure. I know I for one would put you on your ass for being so disrespectful. But you have the right to do what you did, doesn't mean it was.

Most don't feel this way, but I'm glad some do. I know it's disrespectful, but it's his right and many people fought and died for that freedom.

This feels like Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf all over again. The specifics are different, but it's the same.

Just because we have the freedom and right to do something doesn't mean we should do it. I'm a Vet and it really doesn't offend me but it's mostly the principal of it. Honestly think this is going to backfire on him, what he expects to achieve and what he actually gets might surprise him..does S.F. want this kind of publicity ? I doubt it!

I'm not offended and know he has that right but still think it's a crappy thing to do and he's a asshat for doing it

Ditto.

This doesn't make a lick of sense.

Just because he didn't grow up poor in the inner city means he's not allowed to speak out against inequality?

By that logic, I guess I'm not allowed to speak out against our defense overspending even though I did 8 years active.

Some of y'all seriously need to read your post out loud before hitting submit.

Agreed. While I don't know if a football game is the right platform...people go to a game to escape the real world. But, you can also argue that he and others have a lot of people in the immediate to get their point across. Probably the same reason a lot of actors use the Oscars or Emmys as a platform.

But, as king says...we have the right to protest in the USA. Kap has the right and he exercised it. So be it. Does that mean he deserves the backlash? Absolutely. It works both ways.

The flag represents his 1st Amendment right to disrespect it, and my 1st Amendment right to say its a dick move.

I honestly think it's weird that they play the anthem at the beginning of the game. Players and coaches spend time getting focused and zoned in on the game plan, then they are supposed pause and reflect on patriotism right before actually playing. Why not have the anthem post game? That might also give losing teams time to collect themselves before interacting with the media a la Cam at the Superbowl.

That's if they are going to play it at all at sporting events. Most people aren't thinking about the country, they are thinking about the game.

Play it outdoors at dawn and dusk when people are more introspective and less distracted.

Side note, for some reason this story got me thinking about the "Jock Tax." Maybe Kaepernick does want out of California as they have the highest state income tax. Being able to be taxed in almost every state and locality you play in is kind of ridiculous. I don't like doing my basic taxes. Having to file 30+ different places sounds awful.

it makes perfect sense, because he went about it the wrong way for the position he was in, and as was said, its perfectly fine he expressed his feelings, but it works both ways and the backlash he receives is 100 percent justified, usually the people claiming oppression are themselves oppressed, he isn't. He's actually the opposite and has been given opportunities few people of any race get. He was adopted by rich people sent to good schools and grew up needing nothing? In the same vein, wtf does your 8 years have to do with defense overspending, that doesn't disrespect anything. Its quite well known that defense overspends. You can blab all you want about it and you probably won't find anyone disagreeing. Hell I'd probably join in to give you more examples (60k for a stripped down HMMWV, 10k for a mobiflex tent, officers making more than minimum wage . But the anthem and the flag represents a sense of reverence, self sacrifice, and humility. Alot of people have died to make this country great and there are simple customs like standing, removing your cover for any anthem or flag presentation, moments of silence for fallen heroes etc...those are not times to make a statement. There are much better platforms that would incur much less wrath. I know alot of people are fine with it, and much more aren't, being a combat vet who's literally spilled blood for these colors, i find it distasteful and think if you feel this country is that bad, leave...I think he'll find what he's thinking is oppression is nothing compared to what goes on in other countries.

It all comes down to picking and choosing your battles, theres a time and place for everything, and this was the wrong time and wrong place. It's great that he wants to bring awareness to issues that he feels are a problems, but when you do it like this, noone is talking about the oppression issue, they are talking about him disrespecting the country.. so his message failed to deliver, now had he done this by holding a fundraiser, or in an interview or submitted a news column, or likw what NBA players did by some other display then fine..people would be talking about the message more than the delivery.

this post makes a whole lot more sense. thanks for the breakdown.

here's the issue: what does it mean to go about it "the wrong way"

is there a handbook or law which covers this that i wasn't aware of?

at the end of the day, he has all of you guys, and on social media and other sites, talking about the situation.

seems to me like the mission was accomplished.

Couple of things:

First, Kap broke no NFL rules by sitting. The nfl only stipulates that players are "encouraged" to stand during the national anthem. Not mandated. (now, what the niners "require, I don't know)

Second, Kap drew attention not necessarily about an issue, but about him.

Who has he helped? By his stand?

He was absolutely free to do what he did. Others are absolutely free to stand with his stance, or against it.

Yes, he's absolutely is gonna take heat for this. That's the beauty of the first amendment. It works both ways.

I'm just tripping on this rhetoric that what he did is so bad. People acting like he just Spit on Jesus grave or something.

If the mission was to make the people he's complaining about say, "Look, another Black thug that deserves to be shot," then yes it was effective. (I don't share this view, but it's out there)

His "stand" (sit?) wasn't particularly productive. What is he hoping to get out of it? He has a platform as an NFL player, he could have addressed the issue without the seeming disrespect.

Social media seems to lend itself to "bold" gestures that in the grand scheme of things don't really address the issues.

He could hold town hall meetings, meet with police groups, etc, but that would actually inconvenience him a little bit.

He sat, and got publicity. And as the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity. What a sacrifice for such a strong belief. *shrug*

He had every right to do it, and it's not that big of a deal to me, but I don't think it should make him some sort of civil rights hero.

I'm not.

I just told you he was/is free to do what he did. The nfl can't even fine him for it.

He made a statement. What it accomplished, I'm not sure. But, he was free to do it.

Just as others are free to agree or disagree with his statement.

But, since he's a person of means, perhaps he could actually make that statement, and then back it up. If he feels strongly enough to diss the country, perhaps he would feel strongly enough to donate his salary, or some portion of it to stopping the gang murders. Donate to education in the blighted areas.

I think you meant the first amendment, but I suppose a gun works if you point it at yourself.

Lol yea bro. My bad haha

He's certainly not a hero. He's a guy who decided not to stand for the national anthem. And while it shouldn't be like this, the reality is since he sucks, not a lot of people are gonna take him that seriously. Typically, you have to be a good/great player to be effective politically.

If he wants to make a real impact, that everything you said he should I agree with.

You know who does those things you said? Carmelo Anthony.

But he stands for the national anthem as well.

Colin felt he needed to bring awareness. Was he effective? Yes. He got negative attention on him, but the conversation on the issues he stood up for is again at the forefront.

This did definitely not cause the issues to be at the forefront. Not one single person in this thread is discussing the issues. They are discussing his dick move.

Some people in this thread mentioned it.

And it's brought dialogue up on FB Twitter and such.

The issue has been a big one this year and last year. And he helped boost it, as people are now wondering why a guy with his background is speaking about it.

Seems like people on here hate the messenger more than the message though. It's cool, we won't all agree.

Nah.

Not even 5% of the population thinks he made a point. Hell, even most of the nfl players don't get it. (check out the giants from last night)

Look, he has a right/had a right to do what he did. If that's what he feels is his best angle, so be it.

But maybe he needs to live it. Give 9/10's of his salary to helping the supposed problem.

Nah - hell no, that takes money out of his pocket. He doesn't want to do that.


He doesn't want to honor the country that has allowed him to earn his multi millions? Fine. His choice.

The national anthem is about more than him, more than military......it's about the country.

Can't I get a link for that 5% comment?

So donating is the only way to show you care?

Lemme ask you this. In the EE section, you recently said Christians are being attacked. Using the same standard on yourself as you are for Colin, do you donate money in time to every organization in this country that fighting the "attacks" on Christianity?

I'm just wondering you live up to the same standard you think Colin has to.

Do I donate money? Yup. Do I donate time? Yup.

To EVERY organization that is Christian? Nope. I'm not rich.

I donate (tithe) to my church. (hey, get this, I could list 15 or more organizations that my church helps support).

My time? I do work, for free, when I'm called on by certain organizations in the community. Ya know, like, a home that the community supports for those that need a place to live, due to a fire, perhaps just bad circumstances, perhaps job loss due to no fault of their own.

Yeah, I help. And there've been just as many non whites I've helped as whites. And no, I'm not a millionaire. I bet Kap's single game day check tax is more than I make in a year.

Does that make me good? Hell no.

That's cool. I'm glad you live up to the standard.

I also donate. I've donated to BLM, NAACP, other local organizations here in cleveland trying to make a difference for the inner city.

So by your own admission, that doesn't make you good.

So why require somebody to donate money if you don't think it matters?