Top questions on the national anthem protest and most searched players participating in it.

 

There has been a lot of debate over the national anthem protest which many notable athletes have taken to recently to declare their stance or make a statement. The issue is a sensitive and controversial one as many sentiments are involved. We however will refrain from being judgmental and answer the most searched questions on the topic to simplify things for your knowledge.

A national anthem holds great importance for a nation. It is a symbol of a country’s identity, history and culture. The tradition is that whenever a national anthem is played at an event, people are supposed to stand up silently in its honor and respect. This is regardless of whether the anthem being played belongs to your country or not. A national anthem protest is when someone opposes this tradition and chooses to go against it. This protest can be in the form of making a noise, refusing to stand up or doing anything that is disassociated with the conventions of national anthem.

At every sports event the national anthem is played during which the entire stadium stands as a symbol of allegiance and pride in the country. However, this has not been the case in America in 2016. As opposed to the traditional standing, numerous NFL players chose to either remain seated or get on their knees during the anthem. According to them this gesture is to stage protest against the social injustice and racism prevalent in the American society.

The protest was started by Colin Kaepernick, the renowned NFL player who was found sitting during the national anthem before a preseason game. At first his protest went unnoticed but he went on to with this into the third preseason game. Several players have followed suit and with this it has become a topic of national debate.

After many players adopted Kaepernick’s way of protest, speculation was rife that the Seahawks would do the same. And yes the team did protest but took a different route to make their statement. The players continued to stand arm in arm during the national anthem, while at the same time announced their endorsement of Kaepernick’s point of view; as Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin summarized in his tweet “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest is his way of showing support to the people who are suffering in the country due to racism and police brutality. He has tried to use his position as an NFL player to call out for change and give a voice to the victims of social injustice.

Maintaining his stance, the NFL player said that his refusal to stand during the national anthem is in no way an attempt to disregard the police. It is his effort to bring to light some serious issues that need to be addressed. He stated “I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change. When there’s significant change and I feel that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”

 

Following the national anthem protests of sports players gaining attention, many were eager to see what route the Seattle Seahawks would take during the national anthem before their game against the Miami Dolphins. Instead of sitting or knelling, the players interlocked arms to show their unity. The demonstration was a statement that if a football team of varying backgrounds can come together, then why not a nation. This gesture by the team was witnessed on the fifteenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The day saw a number of protesting gestures by the NFL players of various teams. It was an effort on their part to continue the conversational thread that Kaepernick had started and play a role in emphasizing the need to deal with issues of national concern.

Who are the most searched players participating in the national anthem protest?

 

Many renowned NFL players went on to join Kaepernick in his protest. Among the most searched players participating in it are:

Colin Kaepernick is a professional athlete who plays as quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He was a member of his college football team at the University of Nevada where he was named the Western Athletic Offensive Player of the Year twice. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the NFL Draft 2011. He led the 49ers to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1994.

Kaepernick has recently been in the news for initiating a controversial protest in the preseason game of the NFL by refusing to stand during the national anthem. His reasoning is that he wants to use his position and stature to voice the concerns of the oppressed sections of the society.

30-year old Arian Foster is a former football running back who has played as part of the Houston Texans (2009-2015) and then the Miami Dolphins. He was a member of the college football team at Tennessee from where he was drafted by the Texans. As a member of the Texans, Foster holds the record for rushing touchdowns and rushing yards. In his one-year tenure with the Dolphins he rushed for 55 yards in four games. Following an injury Foster announced his retirement in October of 2016.

In September, Arian Foster along with three other members of the Dolphins was seen kneeling during the national anthem ceremony before their game with the Seahawks. He later said “I make one thing clear that it’s not about the symbology that people are mad about, it’s about the message and it’s about who’s saying it — because if it’s about a knee that people are upset about, every Sunday people of faith take a knee to give thanks to their lord and savior.”

American football cornerback, Antonio Cromartie is a free agent. He has previously played as part of the New York Jets, the Arizona Cardinals and most recently the Indianapolis Colts. He holds the record of the longest play in the history of the NFL. Cromartie was among the many NFL players who joined in the protest instigated by quarterback Colin Kaepernick against racial injustice and police brutality. He was released by the Indianapolis Colts after only four games. According to his wife, his protest was the reason for his release.

Football tight end for the New England Patriots, Martellus Bennett is the younger brother of Seahawks’ defensive end, Michael Bennett. He was a member of the college football team at the Texas A&M and before joining the Patriots, had played for both the Chicago Bears as well as the New York Giants. Martelluss Bennet also extended his support to Kaepernick by raising his fist along with safety Devin McCourty following the conclusion of the anthem at the Phoenix Stadium before their matchup with the Cardinals.

 

 

The national anthem protest is a heated debate and has been receiving a mixed response from people across the country. While many endorse the need to work on grave societal problems, others feel it is disrespectful and a negation of the liberties that the American society offers.

Denver Broncos linebacker, Brandon Marshall recently announced that he will no longer kneel during the national anthem. He released a statement on his Instagram account which read that his decision is not because he has changed his stance but because he feels there is hope for the future. He said although he feels encouraged by the progress he has lately see in the Denver community, a lot more needs to be done for social justice to prevail.