While the future of Colin Kaepernick with the San Francisco 49ers remains undecided, memes about his decision not to stand up during the national anthem and his quotes about the American flag are still appearing everywhere, as his decision, and the opinions stemming from it, are nowhere from being a washup up subject.
Wrong or right, Kaepernick has the right to do what he did, whether he’s actually doing it coming from a place of actual concern regarding the present situation and treatment of African-Americans in the United States, or simply doing this out of opportunism, and understanding that his career isn’t going to last much longer anyway, so it’s a good way to get attention.
Some people are reacting to Kaepernick’s actions out of a race standpoint, meaning being black/white. Others come from a viewpoint of knowing someone in the military, being in the military, or being acquainted on some level with someone who died while serving. It’s difficult to argue with those viewpoints, including the ones showing anger and disgust with Kaepernick’s decision. There are those who fully support him. Others understand where he’s coming from, although don’t think he’s going about it the right way.
What’s interesting to me is how Kaepernick has turned himself into the no. 1 villain in sports right now. Playing or not, he’s still a big name. Ryan Lochte’s time in the limelight for his boneheaded, frat boy moves in Rio de Janiero are behind us. Tom Brady, no matter what he does, is off the hook at least until he goes back on the field. Even Kevin Durant is getting a free pass, thanks to someone playing in the Bay Area as well. Well, playing is a bit of an overstatement. Kaepernick is probably going to be on the bench this season, so he’s going to be doing a lot of sitting down anyway, whether the anthem is playing or not.