If you have been paying attention to social media then you would know that many NFL teams have been standing up or kneeling for what they believe by calling for a nationwide protest among football players. The hashtag #takeaknee took over social outlets recently when the Dallas Cowboys, along with their owner Jerry Jones, took a knee before the national anthem on Monday Night Football and instead of holding their hands over their hearts, the Cowboys stood up and locked arms. The political statement did not go over well with fans as they booed in dismay.
According to an article written by Elliot C. McLaughlin, the Dallas Cowboys wanted to send a message to President Trump, who called out The NFL to fire any players who did not stand up for the National Anthem.
“That was a clear shot at Trump,” said the Cowboys’ star wide receiver, Dez Bryant. “We showed great unity tonight, and that’s what that was for. I feel like that was needed”.
Of course, Trump is not happy with the protest among NFL players. He called for fans to boycott watching NFL games because he felt that NFL players were disrespecting our country.
Trump also claims that the ratings had went down since he asked for fans to boycott the NFL games. According to one of his tweets, Trump says that “NFL attendance and ratings are way down. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.”
Not only did the Dallas Cowboys lock arms during the National Anthem, but the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears locked arms on Sept. 28 during Thursday Night Football.
In an article published by The New York Times, Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback, made a statement saying that, “this is about equality”. “This is about unity and love and growing together as a society, and starting a conversation around something that may be a little uncomfortable for people.”
The #takeaknee protest was pioneered by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, when he kneeled during the national anthem at Qualcomn Staduium last year. It is safe to say that Kaepernick started to give attention to America’s political climate through his platform.
According to an article published by the LA Times, the reasoning behind Kaepernick’s protest was to draw attention to the “wrongdoings against minorities” in America. Even though Kaepernick received a lot of backlash from his protests , millions of fans and athletes are now protesting with him.
The hashtag #takeaknee has gained so much attention from celebrities and media personalities on on platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. Credible names such as Shonda Rhimes and the Grey’s Anatomy cast showed their support for the #takeaknee protest this week and Hip-Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs also made an Instagram video, with the following caption: “A Very IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL THE PLAYERS IN THE NFL!!!!!!! Said with LOVE RESPECT AND HOPE. Repost pls!” Also, John Legend took part in the protest by posting a picture on Instagram kneeling on his knee during one of his concerts.
While Trump continues to boycott the NFL, the take a knee protest has taken many Americans by surprise. It is a form of out cry from the American people to the White House by displaying a peaceful protest. In the end, the American people simply want their voices to be heard and to put a face to the unjust that has plagued our country well before its founding.
Photo Credit:
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