US Why NFL players started to take a knee and protest national anthem and flag
US Why NFL players started to take a knee and protest national anthem and flag
The Take a Knee movement was started by quarterback Colin Kaepernick who knelt before a pre-season game for the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.
What is NFL?
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC).
The NFL is one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America, and the highest professional level of American football in the world.
The NFL was formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before renaming itself the National Football League for the 1922 season. The NFL agreed to merge with the American Football League (AFL) in 1966, and the first Super Bowl was held at the end of that season; the merger was completed in 1970.
NFL is the most popular sport in the US.
More and more superstar players and teams have joined American football player Colin Kaepernick’s protest movement against police brutality showing direct resistance to President Donald Trump whose comments angered many citizens and organizations in US.
Kaepernick’s protest first occurred 13 months ago, but was not immediately noticed. At that point, he simply sat on the benches during the US national anthem during a preseason game
But, he later transitioned to taking a knee in protest - saying he was doing so to show more respect for military veterans - which turned out to be a much more iconic pose. Several other players joined his protest, even though they received a lot of criticism from football fans who said that it was disrespectful to the United States. Still, the movement did not gain huge traction last year.
Former 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick told media following
"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people, and people of color," Kaepernick said in a press conference after first sitting out during the anthem. "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."
Following Kaepernick's initial kneeling, the Seattle Seahawks stood linked arm and arm while four members of the Miami Dolphins took a knee, becoming the first NFL players outside of Kaepernick to join this protest. The protests have spread from there. Multiple players have joined in; including Seahawks' Michael Bennett, 49ers' Antoine Bethea and Eli Harold, Kenny Britt and Robert Quinn on the Rams, and many others have either joined in the protests or have come out in support of Kaepernick.
Some football teams chose not to come out onto the field at all after Mr. Trump’s comments, while other teams have allowed their players to protest at their own discretion. In addition to most, if not all, of the NFL teams seeing some players protesting this weekend, baseball professionals and basketball professionals have joined in.
But many US citizens did not like the actions of Colin Kaepernick
actions have been viewed by many as disrespectful to the military and as an unpatriotic move.
What was the Goal of Kaepernicks?
Kaepernick’s goal was to bring attention to the many cases of police brutality against African-Americans, using both the high-profile platform as an NFL player and the large stage provided by NFL games to raise awareness.
Why Suddenly now Anthem Protest in US started to spread like Jungle fire?
US President Donald Trump began his tirade against protesting players during a campaign rally in Alabama on Friday September 22.
Trump said: "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners when somebody disrespects our flag to say get that son of a b**** off the field right now, out, he's fired, he's fired."
Trump continued: "That's a total disrespect of everything that we stand for, OK? Everything that we stand for."
Donald Trump went on to slam protesting players on Twitter again calling for them to be fired.
In tweets US President Donald Trump said following – If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect.... our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!
Trump also said “If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!"
Reason is above comments made by the US President Donald Trump
The US President had called for protesting players to be fired at a rally prompting a show of unity across the league
NFL players and owners across the US knelt or stood with arms their arms linked during the national anthem to highlight racial injustice and police brutality in America, on Sunday September 24, 2017.
Thirty of the 32 teams in the NFL released official statements after Donald Trump said those who protested during the national anthem should be sacked.
Across the country players knelt, sat or linked arms on the touchline as national anthem Star Spangled Banner was played.
A match between Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars held in London saw two dozen players take a knee.
Others including Jaguars owner Shad Khan - who donated £1million to Trump's presidential campaign - stood and locked arms.
Which celebrities are supporting NFL teams openly and fearlessly?
Super star Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, John Legend and Bette Midler have rounded on Donald Trump after he criticized NFL stars.
Singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder showed his backing for the #Take Knee movement at the Global Citizen Festival in New York's Central Park.
Stevie Wonder told the music festival: "Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America.
Pharrell Williams also dropped to one knee as he performed at the Concert for Charlottesville - organized
Singer and actress Midler wrote: "A truth that Trump will not acknowledge, is that Take a Knee is not about disrespect for the flag. It's about protesting police brutality."
Chat show host Ellen DeGeneres also tweeted her support saying: "As a football fan, I am proud of the NFL players today. Nothing is more American than the right to peacefully protest."
Singer John Legend said the protests are the "definition of patriotism".
"I sing for a living-no one would want me on their NFL team. But if I could, I'd take a knee on Sundays. Because these conversations are necessary for progress.... They are the definition of patriotism," he wrote in the publication Slate."
Meanwhile actress Olivia Wilde shared an image from the stage of her Broadway production of 1984, writing on Instagram: "Proud to be a part of this cast, who took a knee as our curtain closed today."
Why Protest is important?
To safeguard rights given by American Constitution and 1ST amendment which every nation on this earth needs to adopt.
One may say kneeling shows disrespect to American flag and anthem but what about the citizens who think kneeling is a new way to show love for US Flag and anthem and rights and protest to highlight problems.
US President Donald Trump is the servant of US People not Boss.
If same happens in India what will happen?
1-the player will get murdered and no one will get punishment.
2-his face will get blackened and police will do nothing he will not get protection from police
3-he will lose his job
4- sedition case will get filed against him
5-He and his family will get tortured so much that weak hearted will commit suicide or he will say sorry and leave India or will go into depression permanently.
Reality views by sm –
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Tags – US NFL Flag National Anthem Protests
