On August 26 2016, Colin Rand Kaepernick, an American Football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, took a stand by not standing for the national anthem before the team’s season opener. He explained to the public and his fans that he decided to remain seated as a statement regarding racial oppression.

In the wake of Kaepernick’s actions, several similar incidents have occurred within the NFL as well as at high school football games.  For example, a junior quarterback attending Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, Massachusetts, was told he was going to be suspended for one game when he said he would not be standing for the national anthem, a decision that was then canceled.

ERHS senior Kayla Johnson said, “I’m for Kaepernick’s stand. I’ve recently stopped standing for the pledge because the National Anthem and the pledge doesn’t apply to blacks; it’s more so against us and I feel if they want me to stand, they should support black lives because all lives matter.”

Despite the backlash towards Kaepernick’s protest, he has also received some support from other NFL players. Retired Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch commented, “I’d rather see him take a knee than stand up, put his hands up, and get murdered.” UNC running back Quinlen Dean said, “Being a black player in a predominantly white state wouldn’t be for or against standing.” 

An ERHS junior varsity football coach, who would like to remain anonymous, said, “I wouldn’t want my players to not stand for a respect reason. I would encourage all players to stand.”

In regard to his protest, Kaepernick said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”