Joshua Reyes Sámano
La Jornada Newspaper
Thursday,January 23,2025,p. a10
Eight years have passed since quarterback Colin Kaepernick last stepped onto an NFL field in January 2017. His decision to kneel during the U.S. National Anthem in 2016, alongside numerous players, was a powerful statement against racial injustice and police violence targeting the Black community. Despite his extraordinary track record, including leading the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013, no team has signed him since.
One of the most vocal critics of Kaepernick’s protests was former U.S. President Donald Trump, who began his second term in office this week. During his first presidency, Trump repeatedly condemned the demonstrations, labeling them as unpatriotic and disrespectful to the nation.
Wouldn’t you love to see an NFL owner say, ‘Get that guy off the field right now—he’s fired!’ when they see players disrespecting our flag?
trump once remarked.
While Kaepernick’s activism effectively ended his NFL career, other players have faced minimal consequences for their political expressions.For instance, in November 2024, Nick Bosa, a star defensive back for the 49ers, openly supported Trump’s campaign by wearing a Make America Great Again
hat during a game. Despite violating league rules, Bosa was fined just $11,255—a stark contrast to Kaepernick’s fate.
NFL regulations state that players are prohibited from displaying personal messages during game day unless approved by the league office.
Bosa later commented, It was a calculated risk, and it paid off.
Trump’s rhetoric subtly pressured organizations to align with his views or face repercussions. The NFL’s decision to sideline Kaepernick was less about avoiding controversy and more about maintaining a specific public image, which regrettably reflects underlying racial biases,
explained Erick Suaste, a political and social sciences expert specializing in discourse analysis.
Kaepernick’s protests were rooted in his belief that I cannot take pride in a flag that represents a country oppressing Black and minority communities.
I’m not seeking approval. I’m standing up for those who are oppressed. If I lose my career and endorsements,I’ll know I did what was right,
he stated.
In 2017,Kaepernick filed a lawsuit against the NFL,accusing team owners of colluding to blacklist him. The case was settled in 2019, with details remaining confidential.both parties have agreed to a nondisclosure agreement, and no further comments will be made,
stated Geragos and Geragos, the law firm representing Kaepernick.
Following Trump’s criticism,the NFL attempted to implement a rule banning players from kneeling during the national Anthem,suggesting they remain in the locker room instead. Though, the proposal was abandoned after strong opposition from the players’ union.
Disconnect with the Fans
In a memo,NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that the anthem controversy had created a rift between the league and its fanbase.He emphasized the need to address the issue collaboratively with players.
We believe everyone shoudl stand for the National Anthem. It’s a significant moment in our games, and we want to honor our flag and country. Our fans expect nothing less,
Goodell wrote in an email.
This stance aligned with trump’s claims that NFL viewership was declining. The league is in shambles, except for the moments before games when people tune in to see if our country will be disrespected,
Trump posted on his social media platform, X.
Trump’s divisive rhetoric targets minorities based on race, ethnicity, nationality, and sexual orientation. His comments reflect the broader rise of right-wing ideologies in Western nations. By politicizing the issue, he criminalized the peaceful protests led by Kaepernick and others,
Suaste added.
In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide protests, the NFL admitted its failure to address players’ concerns about racial injustice.
We, the NFL, condemn racism and the systemic oppression of Black Americans.We were wrong for not listening to our players sooner. We encourage peaceful protest and affirm that Black lives matter,
Goodell stated.
(With data from Ap)
The Double Standard in NFL Political Expression: A Professional Moderator’s Outlook
Joshua Reyes Sámano
La Jornada Newspaper
Thursday, January 23, 2025, p. a10
Eight years have passed since quarterback Colin Kaepernick last stepped onto an NFL field in January 2017. His decision to kneel during the U.S. National Anthem in 2016, alongside numerous players, was a powerful statement against racial injustice and police violence targeting the black community. Despite his extraordinary track record, including leading the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013, no team has signed him since.
This raises critical questions about the NFL’s handling of political expression and the glaring double standards that have defined its approach over the years.Kaepernick’s activism, while celebrated by many as a valiant stand for social justice, effectively ended his NFL career. In stark contrast, other players have faced minimal consequences for their political expressions, exposing a troubling imbalance in the league’s enforcement of its own rules.
one of the most vocal critics of Kaepernick’s protests was former U.S. president Donald Trump, who began his second term in office this week. during his first presidency, Trump repeatedly condemned the demonstrations, labeling them as unpatriotic and disrespectful to the nation.His infamous remark, “Wouldn’t you love to see an NFL owner say, ‘Get that guy off the field right now—he’s fired!’ when they see players disrespecting our flag?” underscored the political pressure that likely influenced the NFL’s treatment of kaepernick.
Fast forward to November 2024, and the disparity becomes even more apparent. Nick Bosa, a star defensive back for the 49ers, openly supported Trump’s campaign by wearing a “Make America Great again” hat during a game. Despite violating league rules, which state that “players are prohibited from displaying personal messages during game day unless approved by the league office,” Bosa was fined just $11,255—a paltry sum for a multi-million-dollar athlete.
Bosa’s comment,“It was a calculated risk,and it paid off,” perfectly encapsulates the lack of accountability for certain political expressions in the NFL. While Kaepernick’s career was sacrificed at the altar of his activism,Bosa’s transgression was dismissed as a minor infraction. This inconsistency not only undermines the integrity of the league’s policies but also sends a troubling message about whose voices are deemed acceptable and whose are not.
as a seasoned sports moderator, I believe it is imperative for the NFL to address this double standard head-on. The league’s rules on political expression should be applied uniformly, regardless of the player’s stance or the prevailing political climate. Failing to do so risks alienating fans who value fairness and equality, both on and off the field.
Moreover, the NFL must reconcile its role as a cultural institution with its obligation to uphold its own principles. The league has made strides in recent years to address social justice issues, but the shadow of Kaepernick’s case looms large. Until the NFL acknowledges and rectifies the inequities in its handling of political expression,it will remain a symbol of division rather than unity.
while the NFL has the power to shape cultural narratives, it must also ensure that its actions align with its stated values. The case of Colin Kaepernick versus Nick Bosa is a stark reminder that the path to progress is paved with fairness, consistency, and accountability. the league’s next move will be a defining moment in its history—one that could either cement its commitment to justice or perpetuate a legacy of inequality.
