From Rival To Idol: Colin Kaepernick
I don’t often post about politics, not because I don’t want to share what I believe in and stand for. I just feel like politics can make a lot of relationships cloudy if someone stands for something you don’t agree with. With the political landscape though, I do feel it’s time I make an actual post with some thoughts. I believe it’s everyone’s responsibility with a voice to try to make the world a better place, so this is my attempt.

As a Seattle Seahawks fan, I’ll be the first to admit in the heat of the rivalry between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, Russell Wilson vs Colin Kaepernick, I took every jab that a Seahawks fan would make at that time. That Russell Wilson is a better player, a better leader, that Colin Kaepernick looks like squidward, that he isn’t a natural thrower of the football. I made all of the jokes. Never in a hateful manner, but just the natural flow of the rivalry as both teams were competing for a Super Bowl.
Today I can proudly say that I admire the type of human Colin Kaepernick is and I’m proud of Nike sticking with Colin Kaepernick and even releasing a clothing line for him. It takes guts to admit that the country you love has a problem. It takes even more guts to risk your career and lifelong dream of being a Super Bowl Champion to fight for this cause.
Make no doubt about it. Colin Kaepernick is blacklisted from the NFL. As an avid NFL fan and writer, you can’t tell me you that watch some of these backup QB’s play and think he shouldn’t be in the league. He should absolutely be in the league and likely as a starting QB. However, he gave his dream up to become a full time activist and for that, I am in awe. Being an activist is a lifestyle, not just a tweet as you go back to your job and comfy life.
The facts are uncomfortable for people to deal with. The common excuse is “This is MY sports time, I don’t want to have to face the problems of the world.” That is the whole point of a peaceful protest. You can’t ignore it. It’s a problem that is getting worse, not better. Minorities are being killed at an alarming rate, particularly by those who are supposed to protect and serve the people. It hurts to say the country I’ve lived in has a lot of problems, but you can’t just turn a blind eye to the truth. As adults, as those with a voice, it should be part of our responsibility to care for the future that we have to live in and that those after us have to live in.
I don’t often get political, however, I do feel that I needed to make this post. Where I stand is very clear. I do not support the current regime in charge of the United States of America. I find a lot of flaws in politics. I’m a loving person who wants everyone to be treated equally and wants everyone to have a future they can pursue in the United States of America. The sum of all the unique people should make us something very special, but we’re being held back currently.
I’m proud of your sacrifice, Colin Kaepernick. And I stand and kneel with you as I agree that there is a problem.