San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick received his fair amount of criticism for choosing to sit out the playing of the national anthem last week before a game. Kaepernick told the press he was speaking for the voiceless victims who have been oppressed by racism. In particular, the player was protesting the prejudice he says is rampant in America's police departments.
Some football and America-loving fans burned Kaepernick's jersey in anger. The best reaction, however, came from another team in the NFL. Here's how the NY Giants responded to Kaepernick's ignoring the "Star-Spangled Banner."
Pretty deliberate sideline for the Giants during the anthem tonight. All players and staff standing. pic.twitter.com/5iqUJp4eqQ
— tara sullivan (@Record_Tara) August 27, 2016
Pretty moving.
One veteran offered another powerful response to the quarterback's national anthem diss, noting that even though he's disabled, he still manages to stand up with pride when he hears the anthem playing.
Other former servicemen and women, however are defending Kaepernick's decision to sit. Some took part in a Twitter campaign called #VeteransforKaepernick, in which veterans applauded the quarterback's effort to expose "police brutality." Others simply applaud his exercising the First Amendment.
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