It’s no secret that former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has become one of the faces of the United States’ racial justice movement. Since kneeling during the national anthem of San Francisco 49ers’ games in 2016 to protest police brutality, Kaepernick has opened a dialogue between the sport and activism, and the league has been struggling to find their place in the conversation ever since.
My initial reaction to the situation was one of apprehension and shock. I couldn’t believe that Kaepernick was willing to risk so much just to draw attention to an issue so close to his heart. It was inspiring to see someone take a stand for what they believed in without regard for how it would affect their own career.
The NFL responded quickly and harshly to Kaepernick’s actions. They began to enforce a ban on players kneeling during the anthem, which seemed both excessive and unfair. It felt as if the league was purposely trying to keep Kaepernick’s message from being heard. The NFL also seemed to be trying to appease their sponsors by discouraging the very activism that Kaepernick had been trying to promote.
But instead of silencing his movement, the ban only seemed to make it stronger. Players across the league began to join Kaepernick in kneeling, and their actions started to spark conversations about racial inequality. Suddenly, the entire country was demanding answers from the NFL and it became clear that this issue was becoming increasingly important to the public.
As the protests spread, the NFL had to make a decision. They had to choose between appeasing their sponsors or trusting players to peacefully protest racism in a peaceful way. With so much pressure mounting, the NFL decided to make a change and pass a new rule allowing players to stay in the locker room during the anthem.
For me, this was a moment of relief. After so much disagreement, the league finally seemed to be recognizing Kaepernick’s movement and taking steps to allow players to make a statement without disruption. It was also an important step forward for the NFL, as it showed that they were finally open to dialogue and compromise.
Since then, the NFL has made further changes, showing their willingness to listen and learn from their players. They have introduced measures to increase diversity in coaching and front office staff. They have also put in place grants to support community initiatives that tackle social injustice and oppression. While there is still more work to be done, these steps show that the league is sincere about wanting to listen to their players and taking action to create change.
The NFL has also made a concerted effort to recognize Kaepernick and his contribution to the movement. They have awarded him the Inspiration Award, which celebrates individuals who have blazed a trail in activism. They also recently retired his jersey, showing that the league is willing to honour Kaepernick for his bravery and commitment to raising awareness.
Overall, I think the NFL has responded to Kaepernick in the right way. While the league was initially reluctant to embrace his message, they have since shown that they are willing to embrace the change he is promoting. Through supporting players’ rights to protest peacefully and recognizing Kaepernick for his efforts, the league is doing its part to create a better, more equitable society.