The Kaepernick Effect

In a recent article Sporting News reported that the NFL has seen a decline in ratings in response to continued protest by San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and other players and coaches from around the league. A hashtag was created to push angered Americans to boycott the NFL and to try to force the NFL to reign in the protest by their players.

Backlash for the activities of NFL players is nothing new. Whether it is protesters to Michael Vick's return to the NFL or after the conviction of Greg Hardy. This however, is not a protest to the negative off-field antics of players. Rather in this case the players are standing up (or in this case kneeling) for their convictions and beliefs.

Further details show that the boycott falls along racial lines with white Americans more likely to be involved in the boycott than black Americans. The reason given for the boycott is a belief that not standing up for the flag is a disrespect to soldiers and police officers and everything they fight and die for. This reasoning has continued to be given even in the face of repeated statements by players advising that their protest is for the equal treatment of African Americans in this country by law enforcement. Despite this fact, people have continued the false narrative that protesting is un-American and against the people defending the nation.

To ask the NFL to reign in players for peacefully protesting is ridiculous. While the NFL could levy a fine or a suspension for players engaging in protests, this could in fact backfire and cause further damage to a league that is more than 80 percent African American. The integrity of the game is not lost for a player kneeling or raising his fist or locking arms with other players, it shows solidarity. To stand up for what one believes in the face of harsh criticism, backlash, boycotts and controversy takes strength. To lash out against it is to show a complete misunderstanding of the point.

Kaepernick is not the first player to wage a protest in the midst of playing his sport and he will most likely not be the last. Many before him have stood up for the beliefs and faced the same type of ridicule.

Kaepernick has been named the starting QB for the 49ers this weekend. The eyes of the world will be watching and waiting to see who will tune in or tune out to await his actions on Sunday.