Why are they kneeling?

Country First
Sep 9, 2018 · 2 min read

The MAGA Team says the NFL protests are “disrespectful to the flag and to veterans.” The protesters repeatedly say “we respect the flag and veterans. We’re calling attention to an area where we think our nation is falling short of its ideals”. Which is true?

Generally speaking I prefer to believe someone’s description of their own intentions, rather than the mind-reading of their critics. This strategy isn’t perfect, of course — plenty of people lie about their intentions.

A second strategy is this: what would I do if I felt as each side claims?

Let’s take the MAGA Team’s claim first: If I were an NFL player and had some level of contempt for our flag and veterans, what would I do during the anthem? Would I kneel? Wouldn’t I be more likely to sit on the bench and listen to music? Or maybe turn my back on the flag? When asked whether I support the flag and vets wouldn’t I say no? Or at least evade the question? I don’t think I would repeatedly insist that I love the flag and have deep respect for veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made, as the players have done.

Now the protesters’ claim: If I was an NFL player who loved my country, respected our vets, and yet had serious concerns about policing and race — what would I do? Isn’t genuflecting during the national anthem consistent with those beliefs? And wouldn’t doing something “on my own time” be a poor substitute, in terms of generating attention on the issue?

One final strategy: How would I feel if the situation was reversed?

Imagine that you were a strong supporter of President Trump, and he had just been impeached, indicted, removed from office via the 25th Amendment, or some other similar scenario. Imagine further that you thought this was a serious miscarriage of justice. How would you feel about Tom Brady genuflecting during the anthem, and telling us that he was doing it in protest of this injustice? Perhaps many other white players followed suit. Would you believe them and admire their courage as they were cut and lost endorsement deals? Or would you think that they really just weren’t patriotic, and intended to disrespect veterans and the flag?

Country First

Written by

Deeply disturbed about our trajectory, and hoping that writing will make a difference. In my mood, if nothing else.