When a player decides to use their position of prominence to promote their political agenda or bring exposure to a social injustice that they feel needs to be addressed, they do so knowing that their may be repercussions for their actions. While every citizen is entitled to voice their opinion in a reasonable manner, a right protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution, athletes understand that as a public figure and member of a team they may be causing undue controversy for any organization that they are affiliated with. Many athletes accept the possibility of repercussions, feeling that their cause is worth more than any fine or suspension that they may face for forwarding their cause. While most of the backlash that these athletes face is public criticism, a small fine, or at worst a suspension, sometimes the consequences of their actions are much greater.
In the wake of the national anthem kneeling protest, Colin Kaepernick became the most polarizing figure in the NFL almost overnight. Throughout the 2016 season, Kaepernick kept up his anthem protest, garnering more and more fame and infamy as he headed into contract negotiations in the offseason. Kaepernick decided to opt out of his contract with the 49ers, making himself a free agent, but 49ers General Manager John Lynch later said that the organization was going to release him anyway. In an interview with NBC Sports' Mike Florio, Lynch stated a transition to a new offense incompatible with Kaepernick's style of play as the reasoning behind choosing to part ways with the young quarterback, but many feel that the organization was hoping to distance itself from the controversy that Kaepernick had brought down on the team.
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In the free agency market, Kaepernick didn't fare any better in his search for employment. While Kaepernick had been heavily sought after by the Denver Broncos before the 2016 season, after his season-long protest any interest that they may have had in him seemingly disappeared. In an interview with the Denver Post, former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer posited that Kaepernick couldn't find employment because NFL owners were "scared, and... uneducated on him as a person and what he wants to do." Plummer's hypothesis seems to be a legitimate possibility, as many higher-ups in the NFL have corroborated his story, both anonymously and in official comments. For a story on ESPN.com, one anonymous exec stated that Kaepernick's unemployment wasn't a commentary on his playing ability, but it was "about the risk of what happens to the team concept when you sign a guy -- a quarterback -- who has put his personal agenda ahead of what we are all charged to do, which is put the team first." This executive seems to be worried about Kaepernick's ability not as a player, but as a team player. In this instance, the idea of putting his own feelings and issues ahead of what was right for the team as a whole makes Kaepernick a liability for any team that would hire him and put him in a leadership position. Other owners are more worried about the backlash from fans that would come from signing such a controversial player. New York Giants co-owner John Mara said that he did not pursue Kaepernick because he had received many letters from fans saying that they would boycott the team if they signed a player who knelt. As Mara told Sports Illustrated, he has "never received more emotional mail from people than [he] did about that issue... [i]t wasn't one or two letters. It was a lot." With the amount of controversy surrounding him, and such strong fan reactions to it, it's no wonder that Kaepernick has yet to remain unsigned. As more and more quarterbacks began to sign with other teams while he remained unemployed, Kaepernick began to take issue with his treatment by the teams in the league, and ultimately had his legal team file a grievance alleging collusion on the part of the NFL. Kaepernick essentially accused the league and its members of blackballing him and denying him the right to work based on his political stance. Legal proceedings are ongoing, but it appears that for the time being Kaepernick's career is over.
Kaepernick's story is eerily similar to that of another professional athlete who decided to protest the national anthem, that of Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. In 1996, Abdul-Rauf was a star player for the Denver Nuggets who maintained one of the best free throw percentages of all time. That season, Abdul-Rauf decided to start sitting out the national anthem, for he felt that the American flag was a symbol of racism and oppression on a global scale. Citing his Muslim faith, Abdul-Rauf stated that "you can't be for God and for oppression... [i]t's clear in the Quran." As a result of his actions, Abdul-Rauf was given a one game suspension by the league, who said that he had violated a rule that required players to stand up with a "dignified posture" for the national anthem. With the support of the NBA Players Union, Abdul-Rauf was able to come to an agreement with the league that allowed him to stand and pray with his head down during the anthem. The issue seemed to be resolved, but the damage was already done. Abdul-Rauf, who was now labeled an un-American troublemaker was traded by the Nuggets at the end of the season, despite being the team leader in points and assists. The message was clear, they didn't want to be associated with the controversial player anymore. With his new team, Abdul-Rauf faced a drop in playing time, the loss of his starting spot, and ultimately a release from the team after his contract expired in 1998. Upon his arrival, Abdul-Rauf found that no team would even meet with him for a tryout. At the age of 29, he was forced to retire from the game, seemingly all for trying to take a stand.
While there is no doubt that athletes have a certain amount of exposure that few others are afforded, and that they should be as free to express themselves as any other citizen, it is true that sometimes their stances cause controversy. With sports having such widespread appeal, with fans on either side of the political spectrum, it seems that using that voice during a sporting event will inevitably end up alienating and angering at least some of the fan base. For some athletes, the choice to voice their opinion regardless of the consequences is an easy one to make, and it usually comes with few serious repercussions. For others, however, it has proven to be a career ending decision.
In the wake of the national anthem kneeling protest, Colin Kaepernick became the most polarizing figure in the NFL almost overnight. Throughout the 2016 season, Kaepernick kept up his anthem protest, garnering more and more fame and infamy as he headed into contract negotiations in the offseason. Kaepernick decided to opt out of his contract with the 49ers, making himself a free agent, but 49ers General Manager John Lynch later said that the organization was going to release him anyway. In an interview with NBC Sports' Mike Florio, Lynch stated a transition to a new offense incompatible with Kaepernick's style of play as the reasoning behind choosing to part ways with the young quarterback, but many feel that the organization was hoping to distance itself from the controversy that Kaepernick had brought down on the team.
Kaepernick at an ACLU dinner in December 2017. (Racked)
In the free agency market, Kaepernick didn't fare any better in his search for employment. While Kaepernick had been heavily sought after by the Denver Broncos before the 2016 season, after his season-long protest any interest that they may have had in him seemingly disappeared. In an interview with the Denver Post, former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer posited that Kaepernick couldn't find employment because NFL owners were "scared, and... uneducated on him as a person and what he wants to do." Plummer's hypothesis seems to be a legitimate possibility, as many higher-ups in the NFL have corroborated his story, both anonymously and in official comments. For a story on ESPN.com, one anonymous exec stated that Kaepernick's unemployment wasn't a commentary on his playing ability, but it was "about the risk of what happens to the team concept when you sign a guy -- a quarterback -- who has put his personal agenda ahead of what we are all charged to do, which is put the team first." This executive seems to be worried about Kaepernick's ability not as a player, but as a team player. In this instance, the idea of putting his own feelings and issues ahead of what was right for the team as a whole makes Kaepernick a liability for any team that would hire him and put him in a leadership position. Other owners are more worried about the backlash from fans that would come from signing such a controversial player. New York Giants co-owner John Mara said that he did not pursue Kaepernick because he had received many letters from fans saying that they would boycott the team if they signed a player who knelt. As Mara told Sports Illustrated, he has "never received more emotional mail from people than [he] did about that issue... [i]t wasn't one or two letters. It was a lot." With the amount of controversy surrounding him, and such strong fan reactions to it, it's no wonder that Kaepernick has yet to remain unsigned. As more and more quarterbacks began to sign with other teams while he remained unemployed, Kaepernick began to take issue with his treatment by the teams in the league, and ultimately had his legal team file a grievance alleging collusion on the part of the NFL. Kaepernick essentially accused the league and its members of blackballing him and denying him the right to work based on his political stance. Legal proceedings are ongoing, but it appears that for the time being Kaepernick's career is over.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf praying during the National Anthem. (Sporting News)
Kaepernick's story is eerily similar to that of another professional athlete who decided to protest the national anthem, that of Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. In 1996, Abdul-Rauf was a star player for the Denver Nuggets who maintained one of the best free throw percentages of all time. That season, Abdul-Rauf decided to start sitting out the national anthem, for he felt that the American flag was a symbol of racism and oppression on a global scale. Citing his Muslim faith, Abdul-Rauf stated that "you can't be for God and for oppression... [i]t's clear in the Quran." As a result of his actions, Abdul-Rauf was given a one game suspension by the league, who said that he had violated a rule that required players to stand up with a "dignified posture" for the national anthem. With the support of the NBA Players Union, Abdul-Rauf was able to come to an agreement with the league that allowed him to stand and pray with his head down during the anthem. The issue seemed to be resolved, but the damage was already done. Abdul-Rauf, who was now labeled an un-American troublemaker was traded by the Nuggets at the end of the season, despite being the team leader in points and assists. The message was clear, they didn't want to be associated with the controversial player anymore. With his new team, Abdul-Rauf faced a drop in playing time, the loss of his starting spot, and ultimately a release from the team after his contract expired in 1998. Upon his arrival, Abdul-Rauf found that no team would even meet with him for a tryout. At the age of 29, he was forced to retire from the game, seemingly all for trying to take a stand.
While there is no doubt that athletes have a certain amount of exposure that few others are afforded, and that they should be as free to express themselves as any other citizen, it is true that sometimes their stances cause controversy. With sports having such widespread appeal, with fans on either side of the political spectrum, it seems that using that voice during a sporting event will inevitably end up alienating and angering at least some of the fan base. For some athletes, the choice to voice their opinion regardless of the consequences is an easy one to make, and it usually comes with few serious repercussions. For others, however, it has proven to be a career ending decision.
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