Is it disrespectful for athletes to kneel during the national anthem?

[Anonymous]

If you are a person who has an issue with anyone kneeling during the anthem, have you ever even stopped to ask any of the protestors to tell you why they knee and what it is about and to hear their story before you judge?

Let us pause, and take a look at our history books and record how many times in history that being silent and doing absolutely nothing in an attempt to gain ones respect, human rights, change history, or the laws, has ever worked...

Given recent riots, it is clear that there are a lot of people in the US who aren't a fan of their entire cities being torched from violent protestors not to be confused with the many peaceful ones that exist...

..cut to athletes kneeling for 5 minutes during the anthem that, by the way, is NOT a protest against the anthem or America despite what some people want to co-opt it to be, but a call to action to support the idea that if blacks in America can not be treated equally, then they and their allies choose to protest via kneeling PEACEFULLY to remind people that there is still a long fight ahead in terms of obtaining equal HUMAN rights. It is also a reminder that these are battles that aren't won in a day. Protests historically have taken years, decades, if not centuries to work, but it keeps going until there is a result.

We are a country that ALLOWS people the right to protest, especially peacefully, and yet, when it happens and (you) aren't the ones doing it, then suddenly it's somehow wrong? How can one group be allowed to protest and not another if we all have so called equal rights? There in lies half the problem. You either believe in the Constitution applying to all or let's do away with it completely.

I would rather see people peacefully protesting then to see people injured, hurt, or killed to get a point across.

[weasley8]

No. It isn't. And actually in the U. S. Code for Respect for the flag, it says nothing about kneeling. But it actually does recommend against several things that are common practice in several types of sports including but not limited to: carrying the flag horizontally, using the flag for marketing purposes, and printing the flag on clothes or uniforms.

Kneeling isn't a sign in disrespect. It's a sign that you think that a tragedy has occurred or is occurring in the district which the flag represents. In this case it's usually referring to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of under-prosecuted murderers in the United States.

[Anonymous]

"Black people have been dehumanized, brutalized, criminalized + terrorized by America for centuries, & are expected to join your commemoration of “independence”, while you enslaved our ancestors. We reject your celebration of white supremacy & look forward to liberation for all." - Colin Kaepernick July 4, 2020.

"When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction. The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance. We have the right to fight back! Rest in Power George Floyd" - Colin Kaepernick May 28, 2020

Here we have the man inspiring all these athletes, BLM racists and white apologists to kneel, attacking our country's Independence Day, and also calling for violence in the streets. Anyone remember when they kept trying to tell us that kneeling for the Anthem wasn't an attack on the military or about the country, and just about police brutality? Clearly, kneeling is a slap to the face of everything this country is, and the people who fought and died to make it free for EVERYONE, including Kaepernick's racist ass. Now I await my downvote stalkers who will dislike my post because everything in it is facts which disagree with their feelings.

[WhiteSteve]

I’m Of the mind that we shouldn’t be having pro-America rallies at the start of sporting events in the first place. It’s simply not the venue for it. Save anthems and all that stuff for American holidays or government-sanctioned events: Memorial Day, 4th Of July, Veterans’ Day, shit like that. Sports is an entertainment event and nothing more. Only in like the Olympics or some kind of worldwide tournament should the nation be tied into the team, league, or the game itself. I mean, what in the world does America or any other country have to do with sports? The sports leagues drape themselves in the flag because they think it’s good PR for them, that’s all. Why is it only sports though? I go to the movies, no anthem. I got to a concert, often in the very same stadiums as these teams hold their games at, to also-enormous crowds... no anthem. Should I cancel Guns N Roses or De La Soul for not saluting the country before their show? It just doesn’t make any sense, so I can’t grant it any validity.

[Shuri]

No. Kneeling historically has always been a sign of respect. Hell, they kneel when a player is hurt on the field and when they pray. So why is it offensive to do it when facing the flag?

I honestly think people who are offended by it need to find something better to do with themselves. It's not offensive. I know a lot of people shit the stars and strips, but legally, they can do this.

Also, I really with people would stop using that whole, "leave politics out of it" jargon. Just having the flag there and singing the anthem is political, so by that logic, you shouldn't be doing anything regarding the flag or the banner. Quit being butt hurt that people are exercising their rights.

[NaultD]

Ok let's say there is an injury happen while the game is going on. (This was my experience in middle school amarican football, so please a grain of salt for other sports) Every one playing takes a knee and recognize someone hurting and needs help.

It's almost poetic in the American football motions of respect. The national anthem is symbolic towards all people of that nation. The kneeling in a football stadium is recognizing the injury and the pain. Also recognizing your own abilities to help in this situation. No one is a doctor on the field but they recognizing the pain, they keep a safe distance back for the help that is coming but staying there in solidarity.

So maybe kneeling for the national anthem is symbolic of a hurting nation needing help. It has been largely ignored and equal amounts of devastation has been endured.

[jgokgotit]

It is very disrespectful. First, a sports field is not the place to share a political opinion. 2nd, yes this nation has many issues, but many military members and law enforcement died to defend this nation and to keep it free for people to be able to have protests. Kneeling at the anthem is not an attack on the politicians or the laws they create/do not create, but is an attack on America itself. The National Anthem is not a political song. It is the song that represents the unity our nation seeks and prides itself on. Marching with signs is a protest. Kneeling for the anthem is a disrespect to the men and women who gave their lives for this country and its citizens.

[Bananaman177]

I can't believe anybody cares what athletes think. Or rock stars or movie stars or rappers or talking heads on the news, or anybody that is a paid spokesman or representative of GloboHomo Inc. Clownworld. And ZOG.

[scarlett774]

Absolutely not, it’s peacefully protesting, nothing about it is disrespectful, It blows my mind how people find it disrespectful

[Liam_Hayden]

I stopped caring much about pro sports when I recognized that it was filled with people who complain about being underpaid while making for one season what it would take most hard-working people multiple lifetimes to earn.

That said, although many are grandstanding and do disrespect the nation, I do not consider kneeling inherently disrespectful. But my opinion is irrelevant. What matters is how many normal fans will boycott MLB and the sponsors/not watch because of it. If it is substantial, then MLB, without revenue from fans in the stands or concessions, will suffer from a loss of ad revenue as well as a decrease in memorabilia. Time will tell.

[Anti-Matter]

I served this country in the US Navy, so I’m not buying into that red, white and blue patrio-racism these ignorant people that refuse to acknowledge injustices towards specific people, even exist.
They make it about the flag... Wait, the same flag I taken gunfire for yet still can have the police
called on me for being too dark, or not blonde enough for their comfort?


Kneel damn it! Offended over the flag but say nothing for the policies that same flag represents.

[BeenThereLovedIt]

Yes, of course it is.

As is should be. It's meant to be disrespectful. That's kind of the whole point. It's a way for people in other leadership roles to announce to our political leaders that they are NOT representing OUR best interests. They speak for those who have no political voice, which is ironically most of americans at this point.

Don't let them use your own patriotism misguide you - it's OUR country, and if you want to choose patriotism then you would stand against the criminals running this country. I'm not preaching to arm up and take it back, but goddam if I'm not going to kneel in defiance. Fuck you government, you don't represent me.

[Ellie-V]

Being in visible disagreement with lyrics to a song is not disrespectful. The National anthem is not something that is “owed” respect or allegiance. It just represents an idea followed up by feelings regarding history. An American expressing something that counters said idea shouldn’t be something you get offended by. People have this weird sense of patriotism as if USA is the most perfect place in earth with no need for improvement.

[StephenCF]

America’s situation is a lot different to my country’s, so maybe I’m not one to say what’s a moral action or what’s not during the American national anthem 🎤🇺🇸 However, I’d spit on anyone who would kneel/disrupt as a protest to the Irish national anthem since there is nothing shameful about our country historically (if anything, we were often the victim but survived through much adversity) 🇮🇪


Honestly, I’d never encourage any protesting during anyone’s anthem generally. If people have their reasons to, it should be a very agreeable one

[Paige90]

It is EXTREMELY disrespectful!! If they want to protest they should do it during something besides the national anthem! Now they are going to start singing the black national anthem ((I didn't know they even had one as there is only one real national anthem) before games! If white athletes kneel during it I'm sure they will be condemned and called racists.

[pajamasam]

Let them express their patriotism. If they were taking a knee during the anthem "to honor the vets" everyone would stand up and cheer and call them heroes.

But they take a knee to bring awareness to unfair police brutality toward minorities?

Oh that means they are disrespecting the flag.

The flag is just cotton nylon and various dyes. It has meaning because we give it meaning and those who kneel during the anthem feel that solidarity is something that the flag should represent. They are attempting to give the flag a new meaning. A very decent new meaning if you ask me.

They are not disrespecting the flag they are holding it to a higher standard than we have in the past.

[superQ]

My worry is that it'll never stop. If I were an athlete on a baseball team, I would kneel, wear the BLM patch and the whole song and dance even though I don't believe in any of it. It's too divisive to stand apart from your teammates, and that seed of mistrust might leak out beyond just the locker room, but it could tarnish your whole reputation. Plus they view it differently than I view it, so I would much rather go to them in a conversation and discuss rather than refusing to participate. That brews division between your brothers or sisters.

My concern is when will it stop? The WNBA thing of walking out I think is to get attention, but I sorta believe that's what this whole thing was about anyways so it'll be an endless cycle of 1-upping each other.

[JackSmy]

Definitely! The Nation, and THE PEOPLE, as a WHOLE, that ARE THAT NATION, are represented by that flag.
Racial issues and protests, YES, I understand, and support their protest, for their reasons, except when it VIOLATES MY RIGHTS, or it DISGRACES THE NATION, or FLAG!
There is a venue for peaceable protest, and the courts are there, to address any legal wrongs!
Kneeling at the National Anthem is a disgrace, and I think it is an inappropriate protest, as it offends more than are gathered to that cause!!
The same with blocking freeways, and denying access, to those whose taxes pay for those roads, like those, maybe, that protest!!
I WILL NEVER SUPPORT ANY PROTEST, that disrupts services, and endangers the lives of people, or deprives me of the usage of the things that my taxes pay for!

[RolandCuthbert]

Of course most folks at GaG would think so. But it is amazing that almost every player did it.

Just two years ago, the folks here were trying to roast Colin Kapaernick. And now he will go down in history for the stance he took.

[DeeToPlay]

As an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army I for one am a very strong supporting the right for any of our citizens to protest in the way of their personal conscience. I took an oath to protect the right for individuals to do just what those who have been kneeling to do. What is disrespectful of the flag is when I see those who have chosen to wear the flag as clothing and when I see it being dragged along the ground. As soon as the flag touches the ground the only recourse is to hold a private ceremony at which time the flag is respectfully destroyed by fire but not in a public forum should this be carried out.

[Reaperbot666]

if i was the team owner. i would tell all the players on my team. look i sign your paychecks. so if you kneel or try to do anything disrespectful. you will be benched for the game in question. and will not be paid for that game.

keep your political statements to your own personal time. not on the clock.

[Dargil]

Yes, it is.
Until professional sports get its heads out of it's anuses, and that includes NASCAR, I won't spend a dime on them or college sports that do it. They have their freedom of speech (kneeling) and I have my Liberty (not supporting them). Since I'm not a Leftist, I won't bomb the Daytona Speedway, but I won't buy a ticket, either. Let the dollar decide.

[Yads_Is_Back]

It’s considered disrespectful, but respect is earned, and America definitely doesn’t deserve the respect right now. I’d be kneeling too.

[Cherokeehp]

Not at all. Isn’t America supposed to be the “land of the free”? That means we’re free to choose not to stand for a song.

[Dalisay]

America is a nation governed by the people, for the people. The flag represents it's highest ideals. When athletes kneel, they insult American citizens (their fans), 99.9 percent of whom aren't racist, and many of whom will find something better to do with their money and time than watch TV to be insulted by multimillionaires.

[Exterminatore]

Yes and it’s also disrespectful to pretend there's systematic racism in America and to bow out to left wing wack jobs who insist on dismantling systematic racism... all while labeling whites as oppressors and privileged... which is racism. Doing so is dangerous. It says: “if you use violence and burn down cities, we’ll acknowledge your antics as legit. The only discernible racism in America is the rampant racism against whites.


Athletes should play ball not politics. They should also get off their knees unless they intend to blow someone.

[RingOfFire]

You know what? These a spoiled multi-millionaires who have the nerve to complain about a country that pays them millions of dollars TO PLAY A GAME need to get a life.

If they hate America so much, and the hate our culture and way of life, there a plenty of communist/fascist countries out there (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba come to mind) where they can easily move. AND THEY SHOULD.

Good riddance to all these Birkenstock Bolshevik baseball players, rioters and America haters. GET OFF MY COUNTRY!

[DannyFanny]

I feel it is and not just to the flag but for bringing politics to a sport that brings families together to enjoy a game and get away from the world for a little while, it's terrible.

[supercutebutt]

Of course not. Only Nazis complain about freedom of expression.

[FrePhill]

USA was established as an egalitarian pacifist nation with liberty as the fundamental icon. Maybe 99.9% of Americans have no idea what true definition of “liberty” is or how it came to be from the struggle from the Magna Carta. John Adams before he left the post as US President to Thomas Jefferson spent his last hours making sure judges were posted which resulted in the first landmark US Supreme Court case Monroe vs. Madison which argued the separation of powers of President. I studied and wrote essays published amongst political science peer review journals. Point is, America is a lie of a republic our Founding Fathers aspired. Shadow faction with totalitarian doctrine uses “capitalism” & “democracy” as hot button words that deceive everyone.

[Anonymous]

To me it's extremely disrespectful especially when thousands died to sacrifice and Honor the flag but the anthem of the country and we need to learn to respect and Honor those that died to give us peace freedom and equality and democracy and never forget what brought us up to where we are now.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Kneeling for another reason than the flag, the pledge, the national anthem is not my cup of tea. I'd kneel for my nation but my nation unselfishly prefers that I rise & stand. Those few minutes are all my country requires. All other issues other than the flag, the pledge & the anthem can respectfully wait and present themselves at another appropriated time. So, rise & stand it is.

[wankiam]

no though i must tell you it only seems to be a problem in American sports... in the uk this weekend we have the formula one grand prix happening and all drivers and teams are being actively encouraged to ''make a stand'' by taking the knee and are brits all up in arms about this suggesting its disrespectful? basically no we aren't

[SVRRF]

before you Antifa/BLM idiots go burning American flags, just remember who has died for our country, People of all races and various backgrounds have fought together in the military. If the flag truly was synonymous with the military then yes it would be disrespectful, but that is not the case. The military does not protect a flag. They protect the people the flag represents, which once again includes the people kneeling.

[jkm1864]

So lets get this straight the country that gave You everything Your going to disrespect it? You do realize that We have people whom don't have privileged lives whom work in the oilfield or in coal mines right? Well when Your a rich asshole whom is banging top shelf pussy and living the high life and You disrespect the country that gave You all that You kind of spit in the face of every man whom has busted His ass to provide a society that brings about success.

[Bucket_meister]

Yeah it's disrespectful. And that's a good thing. The US is the land of the free, we founded the country on the ideas of freedom and rejection of tyranny. So they should be free to kneel as they please. If we start silencing people who peacefully protest (ehem, portland), the values we love about this country are null.

[FakeName123]

It's a political statement and they should keep it out of the sport. If they want to talk politics outside of the sporz then that's their choice. But everything revolving the sport should remain apolitical. We already had a negativ example with the nszi Olympics. Don't need that again.

So yes, it is disrespectful.

[Dragonstarterplus]

Amazing how some people think peacefully kneeling down in front of something is a show of disrespect

I'd be interested in any other situations or cultures where peacefully kneeling in front of something is meant as a sign of disrespect 😂

[Guffrus]

Only in America could people think that kneeling could be disrespectful.

What the fuck are you talking about?

[bluetoblack99]

I refuse to watch or support any major league sport that does this shit. It’s really all about media coverage and money. If you don’t like it don’t watch or support it.

[razzmatazz090]

Yes I think it's disrespectful, but what is great about the United States of America (murica) is that people fought and died so you can have the option to kneel down during the national anthem.

[Anonymous]

It is obviously disrespectful. I don't think anyone in their right mind would argue otherwise.

The question is whether it's acceptable to disrespect the American flag, and all the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect what it represents, in order to protest police violence.

In my opinion there are much more appropriate ways to do it. I think it's disgraceful and does more to harm than help the cause.

[John_Doesnt]

It looks like people of color finally found out the white man's weakness: KNEELING.
"Oh say can you see... WTF are you doing, stand up! You're defeating all the white people with your kneeling power"https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZgIezyUtYmQWhere does it say in a law or constitution or anywhere that people have to stand during the national anthem anyway?

[hellacray]

At this point I don't think they should even play the national anthem anymore. Actually I always wondered why they only play this for sporting events. When you go see other live performances they don't play the anthem there.

Well anyways it's pretty obvious what these folks at the mlb are doing. I personally don't care since I don't like baseball anyways.

[SlothySlob]

You are kneeling before a flag. When you are given audience before the king / queen, you don't tea bag them, you kneel, you bow, you display obedience, submission, your place in the hierarchy.
This is why I will never understand these people, "I will protest by displaying even greater patriotism."

[Liz_thorne]

People who clutch their pearls about this need to reconsider their priorities.

[NYCQuestions1976]

You're free to protest all you want... on YOUR time. When you're on the clock, you're being paid to perform a task, not protest. If you want to exercise your right to protest, that's perfectly fine... but you do it off the clock, on your time.

[bamesjond0069]

Im not the biggest sports fan but i no longer watch any nfl or mlb games or buy their gear out of principle. I won't support libtard crap and when every single person on my favorite team kneels, fuck those assholes i hope they lose to a team that at least one person stands.

[Hermes-Paris]

Ever since I was a kid I thought it was corny to stand and put your hand over your heart for the anthem. Ours or anyones. I am not knocking it but it is a relatively recent thing right? As for singing the anthem I cannot. My dog can attest to that.

[JaneDoe377]

Yes. America does not need to earn there respect. They are ridiculous

[jessicarosen]

I don't think it is. People can voice their own opinion.
Personally, I don't think the anthem should be played at sporting events, only for international competitions.

[JoseLuisGonalez]

Kneeling is usually a position showing respect or deasement so I guess not. Anyway what are they disrespecting? A song? A country that treats black as second class citizens? Seems like the only people who find it disrespectful are elderly white racists.

[Anonymous]

I personally don’t get why people making hundreds of millions of dollars are bitching about the system. They clearly have figured out the system.

[beefy40]

They are paid millions of dollars in one of the freest and open countries to ever exist. They're a lot of injustices in this world, but I find these athletes to be uninformed and ignorant. To me, the disrespect comes from ignorance, I know because I hated my country When I was a teen.

[NamerOfStars]

I don't think so. I'm not particularly fond of the jingoism during sports anyway. But it's done as a protest, and doesn't hurt anyway or disrupt anything. I don't see a problem with it.

[Browneye57]

It's disgusting. People are swearing off pro-sports - they become the losers.

[scooogy]

I'm not American, but I have a slight feeling like the anthem starts with "Oh say can you see" and not "Oh stand and don't kneel".

[douride2]

in my opinion I would say it is disrespectful. In the end I don't really care. It's a free country do what you like as long as your not breaking any laws or hurting any one.

[Dinklex3]

Nope. It's peaceful, they have the right to kneel if they want.

[apollo3000]

Geez - is it not a prayer for own country, with all the respect that implies?

[RickPen]

I don't care about sports, and I don't care about kneeling. What concerns me are the number of people who think kneeling is disrespectful.

[Prof_Don]

No, not disrespectful at all.


Nothing wrong with a peaceful protest, that is the American way. 🇺🇸

[slatyb]

The anthem of the United States? It doesn’t mention God. And atheists can kneel or not as they please, same as anyone.

[Bandit74]

I really don't care. I don't see why it matters one way or another. And the people who make a big deal out of them kneeling are just giving them more attention which is what they want.