First Things First: Somebody's Got to Make a Change

Since the beginning of the NFL 2017-2018 season, there has been an opinion divide among fans, critics and President Trump about some players protesting by taking a knee during our country’s national anthem. This silent protest was started last year by former NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick because of the injustices happening to Black people and other people of color in America. Kaepernick 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.”—Colin Kaepernick, Former NFL Quarterback

Still, in 2017, some people are changing the narrative and making the protest about what they want it to be about, and not about the injustices happening in this country. For instance, I’ve heard people say the protest is disrespecting the American flag, which it’s not. That the protest is disrespectful to our veterans who have put their lives on the line for this country, but it’s not about that either. Lastly, that the players protesting are ungrateful and they should feel lucky to play in the NFL because they are making millions of dollars.

Some people believe if you are a person of color, play professional sports, and you make millions of dollars from your occupation, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about because you are personally financially stable. It seems using your platform to express your social or political views for those who are less fortunate than you is also forbidden.

Kaepernick clearly stated this protest is about injustice, and somehow the narrative still confuses some people, or they don’t want to believe the reality of the inequality in this country.

On September 27th, I watched a clip from YouTube from the Fox Sports (FS1) show, “First Things First.” Sports Analysts Cris Carter, Nick Wright, and Jenna Wolfe with special guest and Fox NFL Analyst Mark Schlereth had a conversation about the how the Pittsburgh Steelers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin handled the national anthem.

The Pittsburg Steelers decided as a team to not to come out during the national anthem, but only Alejandro Villanueva of the Steelers came out to show support for the American Flag because he spent time in the army.

During the conversation, Wolfe asked Schlereth, who is a former NFL player, how would he have handled the protest situation if he was still playing. Schlereth said:

“Do you know what’s disrespectful to the flag? We live in a society where we don’t love each other, that’s disrespectful. We live in a society where we have never been more connected from a technology standpoint and less connected as people.” – Mark Schlereth, Former NFL Guard and Fox NFL Analyst

Schlereth also spoke about what San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Greg Popovich said recently, and it broke his heart when Popovich said, “You know, my dad never told me, 'if you get pulled over by the police, this is how you act.' You know as a White guy, I never told my kids, never thought about it, never crossed my mind.”

Popovich also said every Black friend he has, has told their kids how to act and how to behave if the police pull them over or confront them. Schlereth said Popovich’s statement was sad, and it shows where we are as a country. Schlereth also said it’s about recognizing there are inequalities in this country, and it’s not about disrespecting the flag, it’s about saying "this is not right, and what are we going to do about this?"

“For the people who say, well, ‘listen, it’s not the right place or the right time (to protest),' but what is the right place and the right time? Well, you can’t see it so it doesn’t make an impact on you?” Schlereth said. “What would’ve happened if Rosa Parks gave up her seat and just wrote a strongly-worded letter to the bus company? Nothing. Nothing would’ve happened. Unless we’re uncomfortable about it, unless we’re honest about it, unless we look at it from, through that prism, or unless we have compassion, kindness and love in our hearts. Nothing is going to change.”

In 2017, almost all the NFL teams are protesting the same way Kaepernick did in 2016, but the originator of this peaceful and silent protest is still without a job in the NFL. I think it’s safe to say the reason Kaepernick is not in the NFL has nothing to do with his skill or talent.

Let’s not forget the originator of the protest, Colin Kaepernick. The person who was brave enough to put his career on the line and be the voice for the voiceless Black people and other people of color who experienced injustices in this country.