National Anthem Protest | Pros, Cons, Debate, Arguments, Sports, First Amendment, & Civil Rights

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class="infinite-scroll-container article last"> <article class="article-content container-lg qa-content px-0 pt-0 pb-40 py-lg-20 content md-expanded" data-topic-id="2256971"> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col-auto"> <div class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate">National Anthem Protest</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate">Introduction</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref396776"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396776">Pros</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref396777"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396777">Pro 1: When one believes the United States is not living up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all, kneeling during the national anthem is appropriate and justified.</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref396778"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396778">Pro 2: When a national figure such as an NFL player kneels during the national anthem, it shocks people into paying attention and generates conversation.</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref396779"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396779">Pro 3: Kneeling during the national anthem is a legal form of peaceful protest, which is a First Amendment right.</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref396780"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396780">Cons</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref396781"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396781">Con 1: Kneeling during the national anthem shows disrespect for the flag and members of the armed forces.</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref396782"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396782">Con 2: Kneeling during the national anthem is an ineffective and counterproductive way to promote a cause.</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref396783"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396783">Con 3: Kneeling during the national anthem angers many, sows division in our country, and can harm careers.</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref396784"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396784">Discussion Questions</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref396785"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396785">Take Action</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref396786"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396786">Sources</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/national-anthem-protest-debate">Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/56/218756-050-E294EF1D/San-Francisco-49ers-football-Colin-Kaepernick-kneeling-2016.jpg" data-href="/media/1/2256971/248628" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" 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quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneels during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Washington, on September 25, 2016.</span></span> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <span class="link-blue">(more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div><div class="topic-header"> <div class="d-flex align-items-top justify-content-between"> <div class="d-flex flex-column"> <div> <div> <h1>National Anthem Protest</h1></div> </div> <div class="topic-identifier font-16 font-md-20">Is Kneeling during the U.S. National Anthem an Appropriate Form of Protest?</div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-flex flex-row"> <div class="mr-10 mb-15"> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-block md-topic-tools 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They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-08T00:00:00CST" >Nov 8, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <section><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The debate about kneeling or sitting in protest during the U.S. national anthem (“<a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Star-Spangled-Banner" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">The Star-Spangled Banner</a>”) was ignited by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Football-League" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">NFL</a> quarterback<a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Colin-Kaepernick" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Colin Kaepernick</a> in 2016 and escalated to become a nationally divisive issue. (See also: “Is ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ Racist?”)</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/San-Francisco-49ers" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">San Francisco 49ers </a>quarterback Colin Kaepernick first refused to stand during “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Aug. 26, 2016 to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. Since that time, many other professional football players, high school athletes, and professional athletes in other sports have refused to stand for the national anthem. These protests have generated controversy and sparked a public conversation about the protesters’ messages and how they’ve chosen to deliver them. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-7">[7]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-8">[8]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-9">[9]</a></p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The 2017 NFL pre-season began with Black players from the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Seattle-Seahawks" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Seattle Seahawks</a>,<a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Las-Vegas-Raiders" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"> Oakland Raiders</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Philadelphia-Eagles" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Philadelphia Eagles</a> kneeling or sitting during the anthem with support of white teammates. On Aug. 21, 2017, twelve <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cleveland-Browns" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Cleveland Browns </a>players knelt in a prayer circle during the national anthem with at least four other players standing with hands on the kneeling players’ shoulders in solidarity, the largest group of players to take a knee during the anthem to date. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-20">[20]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-21">[21]</a></p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Jabrill Peppers, a rookie safety for the Browns, said of the protest, “There’s a lot of racial and social injustices in the world that are going on right now. We just decided to take a knee and pray for the people who have been affected and just pray for the world in general… We were not trying to disrespect the flag or be a distraction to the team, but as men we thought we had the right to stand up for what we believed in, and we demonstrated that.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-21">[21]</a></p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="88022" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/85014-050-C8CF4C72/Tommie-Smith-American-fists-John-Carlos-Olympic-1968.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/2256971/88022"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/85014-050-C8CF4C72/Tommie-Smith-American-fists-John-Carlos-Olympic-1968.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/85014-050-C8CF4C72/Tommie-Smith-American-fists-John-Carlos-Olympic-1968.jpg?w=300" alt="1968 Black Protests" data-width="1113" data-height="1600" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/85014-050-C8CF4C72/Tommie-Smith-American-fists-John-Carlos-Olympic-1968.jpg" data-href="/media/1/2256971/88022">1968 Black Protests</a><span>American track medalists Tommie Smith (center) and John Carlos raising black-gloved fists in protest at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Seth DeValve, a tight end for the Browns and the first white NFL player to kneel for the anthem, stated, “The United States is the greatest country in the world. And it is because it provides opportunities to its citizens that no other country does. The issue is that it doesn’t provide equal opportunity to everybody, and I wanted to support my African-American teammates today who wanted to take a knee. We wanted to draw attention to the fact that there’s things in this country that still need to change.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-20">[20]</a></p><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">However, some Cleveland Browns fans expressed their dissatisfaction on the team’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/Facebook" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Facebook</a> page. One commenter posted, “Pray before or pray after. Taking a knee during the National Anthem these days screams disrespect for our Flag, Our Country and our troops. My son and the entire armed forces deserve better than that.”<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-22">[22]</a></p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">On Friday, Sep. 22, 2017, President <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Donald-Trump" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Donald Trump </a>stated his opposition to NFL players kneeling during the anthem: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!” The statement set off a firestorm on both sides of the debate. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/Roger-Goodell" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Roger Goodell</a>, NFL Commissioner, said of Trump’s comments, “Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-23">[23]</a></p><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The controversy continued over the weekend as the President continued to tweet about the issue and others contributed opinions for and against kneeling during the anthem. On Sunday, Sept. 24, in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/London" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">London</a> before the first NFL game played after Trump’s comments, at least two dozen Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars players knelt during the American national anthem, while other players, coaches, and staff locked arms, including Shad Khan, who is the only Pakistani-American Muslim NFL team owner. Throughout the day, some players, coaches, owners, and other staff kneeled or linked arms from every team except the Carolina Panthers. The Pittsburgh Steelers chose to remain in the locker room during the anthem, though offensive tackle and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/ranger-military" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Army Ranger </a>veteran Alejandro Villanueva stood at the entrance to the field alone, for which he has since apologized. Both the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans teams stayed in their locker rooms before their game, leaving the field mostly empty during the anthem. The Seahawks stated, “As a team, we have decided we will not participate in the national anthem. We will not stand for the injustice that has plagued people of color in this country. Out of love for our country and in honor of the sacrifices made on our behalf, we unite to oppose those that would deny our most basic freedoms.”<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-24">[24]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-25">[25]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-27">[27]</a></p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The controversy jumped to other sports as every player on <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Womens-National-Basketball-Association-WNBA-champions-2226489" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">WNBA</a>’s Indiana Fever knelt on Friday, Sep. 22 (though WNBA players had been kneeling for months); <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oakland-Athletics" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Oakland A</a>’s catcher Bruce Maxwell kneeled on Saturday becoming the first <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Major-League-Baseball" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">MLB </a>player to do so; and Joel Ward, of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Hockey-League" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">NHL</a>’s San Jose Sharks, said he would not rule out kneeling. USA soccer’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Megan-Rapinoe" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Megan Rapinoe</a> knelt during the anthem in 2016, prompting the US Soccer Federation to issue Policy 604-1, ordering all players to stand during the anthem. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-28">[28]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-29">[29]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-30">[30]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-31">[31]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-35">[35]</a></p><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The country was still debating the issue well into the week, with Trump tweeting throughout, including on Sept. 26: “The NFL has all sort of rules and regulations. The only way out for them is to set a rule that you can’t kneel during our National Anthem!” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-26">[26]</a></p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD11 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">On May 23, 2018, the NFL announced that all 32 team owners agreed that all players and staff on the field shall “stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem” or face “appropriate discipline.” However, all players will no longer be required to be on the field during the anthem and may wait off field or in the locker room. The new rules were adopted without input from the players’ union. On July 20, 2018, the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) issued a joint statement putting the anthem policy on hold until the two organizations come to an agreement.<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-32">[32]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-33">[33]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-34">[34]</a> </p><span class="marker MOD11 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD12 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">During the nationwide <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Black-Lives-Matter" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Black Lives Matter</a> protests following the death of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Floyd" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">George Floyd</a>, official league positions on kneeling began to change. On June 5, 2020, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated, “We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of B people. We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all players to speak out and peacefully protest.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-39">[39]</a></p><span class="marker MOD12 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD13 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Before the June 7, 2020 race, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/sports/NASCAR" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">NASCAR</a> lifted the guidelines that all team members must stand during the anthem, allowing NASCAR official and Army veteran Kirk Price to kneel during the anthem. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-40">[40]</a></p><span class="marker MOD13 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD14 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">On June 10, 2020, the US Soccer Federation rescinded the league’s requirement that players stand during the anthem amid the Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd. The US Soccer Federation stated, “It has become clear that this policy was wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter.”<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-35">[35]</a></p><span class="marker MOD14 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD15 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In the wake of the 2020 killing of George Floyd and the protests that followed, 52% of Americans stated it was “OK for NFL players to kneel during the National Anthem to protest the police killing of African Americans.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-41">[41]</a></p><span class="marker MOD15 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD16 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The debate largely quieted after the summer of 2020, with a brief resurgence about athletes displaying political gestures on Olympic podiums of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Tokyo-2020-Olympic-Games" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Tokyo </a>in 2021 and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Beijing in 2022</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD16 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD17 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">So, is kneeling during the national anthem an appropriate form of protest? Explore the debate below.</p><span class="marker MOD17 mod-inline"></span></section><section class="summary"><table class="pro-con"><thead><tr><th>PROS</th><th>CONS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Pro 1: When one believes the United States is not living up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all, kneeling during the national anthem is appropriate and justified. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396777">Read More.</a></td><td>Con 1: Kneeling during the national anthem shows disrespect for the flag and members of the armed forces. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396781">Read More.</a></td></tr><tr><td>Pro 2: When a national figure such as an NFL player kneels during the national anthem, it shocks people into paying attention and generates conversation. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396778">Read More.</a></td><td>Con 2: Kneeling during the national anthem is an ineffective and counterproductive way to promote a cause. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396782">Read More.</a></td></tr><tr><td>Pro 3: Kneeling during the national anthem is a legal form of peaceful protest, which is a First Amendment right. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396779">Read More.</a></td><td>Con 3: Kneeling during the national anthem angers many, sows division in our country, and can harm careers. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396783">Read More.</a></td></tr></tbody></table></section><span class="marker" id="pro-2256971"></span><div class="mb-15" id="ref396776"><h2 class="h1 d-inline-block mb-0">Pro Arguments </h2> <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396780">(Go to Con Arguments)</a></div><section class="pro"><span class="marker" id="ref396777"></span> <h2 class="h2">Pro 1: When one believes the United States is not living up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all, kneeling during the national anthem is appropriate and justified.</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD18 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Colin Kaepernick said, “I’m 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. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-1">[1]</a></p><span class="marker MOD18 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD19 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Many other athletes have since refused to stand for the national anthem for similar reasons. Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, who also has knelt during the national anthem, said, “the message is I’m against social injustice.… I’m not against the military or police or America at all.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-2">[2]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-7">[7]</a></p><span class="marker MOD19 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD20 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">NASCAR official and Army veteran Kirk Price, who kneeled during the anthem at a June 2020 race, stated, “I fully respect the flag… That’s not what the issue is here. The issue is African Americans being oppressed for so long under the flag.… But to be honest with you, I know what the flag stands for and I know about Black people being oppressed because I am one.”<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-42">[42]</a></p><span class="marker MOD20 mod-inline"></span> </section><section class="pro"><span class="marker" id="ref396778"></span> <h2 class="h2">Pro 2: When a national figure such as an NFL player kneels during the national anthem, it shocks people into paying attention and generates conversation.</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD21 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Many people were shocked and offended when Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and the resulting debate has continued as additional players joined the protest. <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-6">[6]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-12">[12]</a></p><span class="marker MOD21 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD22 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell originally disagreed with those actions, but later praised what he called a movement from protest to progress: “I truly respect our players wanting to speak out and change the community.… We want them to use that voice.”<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-16">[16]</a></p><span class="marker MOD22 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD23 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Social media has given a voice to strong opinions on both sides, including members of the armed forces who express support Kaepernick’s right to protest by posting under the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick.<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-5">[5]</a></p><span class="marker MOD23 mod-inline"></span> </section><section class="pro"><span class="marker" id="ref396779"></span> <h2 class="h2">Pro 3: Kneeling during the national anthem is a legal form of peaceful protest, which is a First Amendment right.</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD24 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">President <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Barack-Obama" class="md-crosslink pro" data-show-preview="true">Barack Obama</a> said Kaepernick was “exercising his constitutional right to make a statement. I think there’s a long history of sports figures doing so.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-3">[3]</a></p><span class="marker MOD24 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD25 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The San Francisco 49ers said in a statement, “In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-1">[1]</a></p><span class="marker MOD25 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD26 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">A letter signed by 35 U.S. veterans stated, “Far from disrespecting our troops, there is no finer form of appreciation for our sacrifice than for Americans to enthusiastically exercise their freedom of speech.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-12">[12]</a></p><span class="marker MOD26 mod-inline"></span> </section><span class="marker" id="con-2256971"></span><div class="mb-15" id="ref396780"><h2 class="h1 d-inline-block mb-0">Con Arguments</h2> <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#ref396776">(Go to Pro Arguments)</a></div><section class="con"><span class="marker" id="ref396781"></span> <h2 class="h2">Con 1: Kneeling during the national anthem shows disrespect for the flag and members of the armed forces.</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD27 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The national anthem pays respect to the people who have risked their lives, been injured, or died defending the United States. Carole Isham, a great-great-great-granddaughter of the writer of the national anthem (Francis Scott Key) stated that “it just blows my mind that somebody like (Kaepernick) would do what he does to dishonor the flag of this country and the national anthem when we have young men and women overseas fighting for this country, people that have died for this country.”<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-13">[13]</a></p><span class="marker MOD27 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD28 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints quarterback, supported Kaepernick’s message but disagreed with the delivery: “[I]t’s an oxymoron that you’re sitting down, disrespecting that flag that has given you the freedom to speak out.” Brees reiterated his position on June 3, 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd killing. However, in light of the backlash that followed, Brees retracted his statement. In reaction, on June 5, 2020, President Trump tweeted, “OLD GLORY is to be revered, cherished, and flown high…. “We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart. There are other things you can protest, but not our Great American Flag – NO KNEELING!” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-18">[18]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-36">[36]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-37">[37]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-38">[38]</a></p><span class="marker MOD28 mod-inline"></span> </section><section class="con"><span class="marker" id="ref396782"></span> <h2 class="h2">Con 2: Kneeling during the national anthem is an ineffective and counterproductive way to promote a cause.</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD29 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Clemson University football coach Dabo Swinney said in a press conference: “I don’t think it’s good to be a distraction to your team. I don’t think it’s good to use your team as the platform.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-4">[4]</a></p><span class="marker MOD29 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD30 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">President Obama expressed concern that not standing for the national anthem can get in the way of the message: “As a general matter, when it comes to the flag the national anthem and the meaning that holds for our men and women in uniform and those who’ve fought for us — that is a tough thing for them to get past to then hear what his [Kaepernick’s] deeper concerns are.”<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-3">[3]</a></p><span class="marker MOD30 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD31 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Malcolm Jenkins, safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, supported Kaepernick’s message but said, “My grandfather served [in the military]. And this is a country that I love. So, me not standing for the national anthem isn’t really going to get me the results that I want.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-19">[19]</a></p><span class="marker MOD31 mod-inline"></span> </section><section class="con"><span class="marker" id="ref396783"></span> <h2 class="h2">Con 3: Kneeling during the national anthem angers many, sows division in our country, and can harm careers.</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD32 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Kaepernick and others who have refused to stand for the national anthem have caused division among their teams, their fans, and across the country. The Santa Clara police union hinted they would boycott providing security at games after Kaepernick revealed his reasons for protesting the national anthem and wore socks depicting pigs in police uniforms. Even some observers supportive of protests found the pig-depictions reprehensible.<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-14">[14]</a><a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-15">[15]</a></p><span class="marker MOD32 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD33 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Fans have been burning Kaepernick’s jersey to show their distaste for his actions. One video of a jersey on fire posted on Facebook was captioned, “He says he’s oppressed making $126 million. Well, Colin, here’s my salute to you.” <a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-17">[17]</a></p><span class="marker MOD33 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD34 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Kneeling has also been detrimental to careers, perhaps even Kaepernick’s. The quarterback’s play suffered in the seasons after his protest, and few teams would offer him a contract; he eventually filed suit against the NFL, charging team owners with conspiring to keep him out of the league. According to a 2023 study by Leeds School of Business Assistant Professor Ethan Poskanzer, many of the first 50 NFL players to kneel were soon out of a contract, offered less lucrative contracts, or playing for different, more sympathetic teams. In fact, adds Poskanzer, “Players who protested in a less-supportive team environment earned less money for the next five years than other players on more supportive teams.” The study concludes that such protests “can have negative career consequences to take into account when deciding whether to participate.”<a href="/procon/national-anthem-protest-debate#pcref-2256971-43">[43]</a></p><span class="marker MOD34 mod-inline"></span> </section><span class="marker h4"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref396784"> <h2 class="h1">Discussion Questions</h2> <ol><li><div>Should professional athletes be allowed to kneel during the national anthem in protest? Why or why not?</div></li><li><div>Should student athletes be allowed to kneel during the national anthem in protest? Why or why not?</div></li><li><div>What forms of protest are acceptable in which venues? Which are not acceptable? Explain your answers.</div></li></ol> </section><span class="marker h5"></span><section data-level="1" class="takeaction" id="ref396785"> <h2 class="h1">Take Action</h2> <ol><li><div>Explore “<a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.adl.org/resources/tools-and-strategies/purpose-and-power-protest" data-show-preview="true">The Purpose and Power of Protest</a>” with the Anti-Defamation League.</div></li><li><div>Delve into the Albert Einstein Institution’s list, “<a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.brandeis.edu/peace-conflict/pdfs/198-methods-non-violent-action.pdf" data-show-preview="true">198 Methods of Nonviolent Action</a>.”</div></li><li><div>Consider Marc A. Thiessen’s opinion that kneeling during the anthem is a <a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/16/kneeling-during-anthem-isnt-protesting-against-racism-its-protesting-against-america/" data-show-preview="true">protest against America</a>.</div></li><li><div>Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the “other side of the issue” now helps you better argue your position.</div></li><li><div>Push for the position and policies you support by writing U.S. <a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.senate.gov/senators/index.htm" data-show-preview="true">senators</a> and <a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative" data-show-preview="true">representatives</a>.</div></li></ol> </section><section class="sources"><h2 class="h1" id="ref396786">Sources</h2><div><ol><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-1">Steve Wyche, "Colin Kaepernick Explains Why He Sat During National Anthem," nfl.com, Aug. 27, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-2">Telegraph Sport, "NFL Player Brandon Marshall Gets Dropped by Sponsor for Anthem Protest," telegraph.co.uk, Sept. 10, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-3">Athena Jones and Tom LoBianco, "Obama: Colin Kaepernick ’Exercising Constitutional Right,’" cnn.com, Sept. 5, 2016 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-4">Bria N. Felicien, "Clemson Professor Writes Open Letter to Dabo Swinney," greenvilleonline.com, Sept. 14, 2016 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-5">Jennifer Lee Chan, "#VeteransForKaepernick," ninerstation.com, Aug. 31, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-6">Democracy Now!, "More NFL Players Join Colin Kaepernick In National Anthem Protest," democracynow.org, Sept. 9, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-7">Telesur, "Kaepernick Kneels Again, This Time on Monday Night Football," telesurtv.net, Sept. 12, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-8">Tessa Berenson, "Entire San Francisco High School Football Team Kneels for National Anthem," time.com, Sept. 16, 2016 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-9">Nunzio Ingrassia, "Athletes Who Have Joined Colin Kaepernick’s National Anthem Protest," foxsports.com, Sep. 12, 2016 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-10">CNN, "US Navy Sailor Sits During National Anthem," cnn.com, Sept. 9, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-11">Zuri Davis, "Ben Carson Explained Why He Thinks Colin Kaepernick Was Wrong to Sit through the National Anthem," rare.us, Aug. 28, 2016 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-12">Veterans for Kaepernick, "An Open Letter of Support for Colin Kaepernick from American Military Veterans," medium.com, Sep. 2, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-13">Josh Peter, "Descendant of National Anthem Songwriter Rips Colin Kaepernick," usatoday.com, Sep. 15, 2016 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-14">CSN Philly, "Police Union: Officers May Boycott 49ers over Colin Kaepernick," csnphilly.com, Sept. 3, 2016 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-15">Tom Pelissero, "Vikings’ Alex Boone Rips Ex-Teammate Colin Kaepernick for Lack of Respect," usatoday.com, Aug. 29, 2016; Abigail Abrams, “Colin Kaepernick Criticized for Socks Depicting Police as Pigs,” time.com, Sept. 1, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-16">Tom Pelissero, "Roger Goodell Praises Player Demonstrations for Going from ’Protests to Progress,’" usatoday.com, Sept. 19, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-17">Cindy Boren, "Colin Kaepernick Protest Has 49ers Fans Burning Their Jerseys," washingtonpost.com, Aug. 28, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-18">Mike Triplett, "Drew Brees ’Wholeheartedly’ Disagrees with Colin Kaepernick’s Method of Protest," espn.com, Aug. 29, 2016 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-19">Ryan Wilson, "NFL Players: There Are Better Ways for Kaepernick to Affect Change," cbssports.com, Aug. 29, 2016 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-20">Satchel Price, "Cleveland Browns Players Kneel During National Anthem," sbnation.com, Aug. 22, 2017</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-21">Pat McManamon, "12 Browns Players Kneel in Prayer over Racial, Social Injustice," espn.com, Aug. 22, 2017 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-22">Courtney Danser, "Angry Fans Take to Cleveland Browns Facebook Page over National Anthem Protest," News 5 Cleveland website, Aug. 22, 2017</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-23">Brian Armen Graham, "Donald Trump Blasts NFL Anthem Protesters: ’Get That Son of a Bitch off the Field,’" theguardian.com, Sept. 23, 2017 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-24">CNN Wires, "Jaguars, Ravens Kneel During Anthem as NFL Sunday Kicks Off," fox2now.com, Sept. 24, 2017 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-25">Brian Hoffman and Lance Booth, "What Every N.F.L. Team Did During the National Anthem on Sunday," nytimes.com, Sept. 24, 2017</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-26">Donald Trump, Twitter post, twitter.com, Sept. 26, 2017</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-27">Tribune Media Wire, "Alejandro Villanueva Apologizes for Throwing Steeler Teammates ’under the Bus,’" fox8.com, Sept. 25, 2017 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-28">Susan Slusser, "A’s Bruce Maxwell First MLB Player to Kneel for Anthem," sfgate.com, Sept. 25, 2017</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-29">Chuck Shulman, "WNBA’s Indiana Fever Players Kneel Together During National Anthem," latimes.com, Sept. 22, 2016</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-30">Satchel Price, "Joel Ward Considers Becoming 1st NHL Player to Kneel During National Anthem," sbnation.com, Sept. 27, 2017</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-31">Tom Ziller and Mike Prada, "The WNBA Has Been at the Forefront of Protesting Racial Injustice," sbnation.com, Sep. 24, 2017</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-32">NFL Communications, "Statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell," nflcommunications.com, May 23, 2018</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-33">Victor Mather, "N.F.L. Teams Will Be Fined for Players’ Anthem Kneeling," nytimes.com, May 23, 2018</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-34">Motez Bishara, "NFL Anthem Policy Shelved as Talks with Players Association Continue," cnn.com, July 20, 2018 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-35">Vanessa Romo, "U.S. Soccer Lifts Ban on Kneeling during National Anthem," npr.org, June 10, 2020 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-36">Chris Cwik, "Drew Brees Addresses NFL Players Kneeling in 2020: ’I Will Never Agree with Anybody Disrespecting the Flag,’" sports.yahoo.com, June 3, 2020 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-37">Alicia Victoria Lozano and Gwen Aviles, "Drew Brees to Trump: ’We Must Stop Talking about the Flag," nbcnews.com, June 5, 2020 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-38">Donald Trump, Twitter.com, June 5, 2020 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-39">Alicia Victoria Lozano, "Goodell Says NFL Was Wrong Not to Encourage Players to Protest Peacefully," nbcnews.com, June 5, 2020</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-40">Dustin Long, "NASCAR to Allow Peaceful Protests during National Anthem," sports.yahoo.com, June 10, 2020</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-41">Jay Busbee, "Yahoo News/YouGov Poll: Majority of Americans Now Support NFL Players’ Right to Protest," sports.yahoo.com, June 11, 2020 </li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-42">Michelle R. Martinelli, "NASCAR Official Opens up about Taking a Knee for National Anthem, Prayer," ftw.usatoday.com, June 8, 2020</li><li class="marker" id="pcref-2256971-43">Katy Marquardt Hill, “The NFL’s ‘take a knee’ movement and its impact on workplace protest,” colorado.edu, Sept. 14, 2023</li></ol></div></section></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"PROCON","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":2256971,"pageLength":2902,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"LARGE","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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National Anthem Protest | Pros, Cons, Debate, Arguments, Sports, First Amendment, & Civil Rights | Britannica