It was the biggest game of the season, the Super Bowl. All of the excitement and anticipation was mounting in anticipation of the big game. Everyone was curious to see which NFL players would take a knee in protest during the pregame national anthem.
The whole country was watching, and I was no exception. I remember flipping through channels, and finally stopping when I saw the pregame national anthem begin. As the camera slowly panned out, all I could focus on were the players standing with their hands over their hearts, somewhat distant from each other.
Not a single player took a knee. The silence in the stadium almost felt heavy as no one seemed to know what to expect. Everyone was holding their breath in anticipation. It was almost eerie, the way the stadium was so quiet; I remember thinking, “This is not what I was expecting”.
But in the midst of the silence, something happened. Several of the players on the sidelines stepped forward, took a knee, and linked arms with one another in solidarity. In that moment, I knew the statement they were trying to make – that they have power to stand up for what they believe in, no matter the consequences.
I couldn’t help but look around at the crowd. Some of the fans, on their feet applauding, and others booing. At that moment, it seemed as if all the emotions in the stadium were visible in the stands. Some people were angry, some were sad, and some were just plain scared.
At the end of it all, though, the silence in the room had a name – change. No one knew exactly what the future of the NFL would look like, but this small gesture provoked real conversations. Suddenly, I felt more optimistic for the future, and although some may consider it a small victory, it felt like a huge step toward meaningful change.
In the next few months after the Super Bowl, it seemed as if the entire conversation about social justice, equity, and race in America had changed. It was like the players’ actions made it impossible to ignore the injustice that was happening. They shifted the conversation and let their voices be heard.
During this time, the new generation of players began to speak out, unintimidated by the consequences of speaking their truth. One of the first players to take a stand was former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. He started a movement that encouraged peaceful protests and eventually took the league by storm.
It was amazing to watch the transformation within the NFL circle. Instead of shying away from the issue of racism, players began to embrace it and show their commitment to creating positive change. Everyone from the owners to the fans seemed to have realized the importance of speaking out.
Suddenly, communities seemed to come together and promote meaningful conversations about identity and equality. Players began to introduce initiatives that advocated for greater diversity and inclusion in the league. This was no longer just a game – it was a movement.
Fast forward to today and we can see the effects of this movement. People everywhere are continuing to fight for justice and equality. The league is still not perfect, but standing for a cause has instilled a pride for progress. We can all take a lesson from these courageous NFL players: that we have the power to stand up for what we believe in, no matter the consequence.