Colin Kaepernick: One of the Most Contentious Players in Sports

- James Broderick

Sometimes, an issue becomes so divisive and polarizing that it is difficult to even agree with the side that you find most logical. Sometimes, the argument you agree with has been so overstated by one side of this division, that you are afraid to truly support it. In Trump’s America, most issues are entrenched in racial and political tensions, and the argument over Colin Kaepernick’s protests is a perfect example. My biggest issue is that before I could even formulate my own opinion, I could see how whichever side I took would be indicative of me selecting an army to side with during a war. Those disagreeing with Kaepernick’s decision are seen as a band of racist, southern, trump supporters, obsessed with guns and militarization as they argue Kaepernick’s protest does not take into account the soldiers. Stereotypically, those who agree with Kaepernick’s decision are all a bunch peace-loving liberals who hate America. As I have finally been able to put these preconceived notions aside in my mind, and deliberate, I have found there to be an important grey area to this argument, and a whole other perspective that we neglect to consider.

It is November 17th, at a high school football field in Georgia. A sweaty Kaepernick addresses the media after filming a live workout intended for NFL scouts. His afro larger than it had ever been in his NFL days. He is decked out in all black Nike apparel. The cameras surround him not unlike the bodies that would fling themselves at him back when he wore red and gold spandex. ‘I’ve been ready’, he tells the media. “For a long time.”

Now, whether you agree or disagree with Kaep’s opinions which caused him to be unemployed at the elite level, you must at least appreciate his showmanship. In America, we have a long running addiction with controversial athletes. Often, those who stand up for beliefs that are less popular are criticized by some at the time. However, when it's all said and done, and the arrow of time moves public opinion forward (often proving them right), the thing we seem to remember the athlete for most was their choice to speak out. With the way people remember Muhammad Ali nowadays, you would forget how many of those people would be against his actions to refuse enlistment in the 70s. And yet, if he had never voiced his opinion or taken action in such a dramatic form, he may not be remembered as well. We don’t just like boxers. We like boxers who can have their backs against the ropes, in the ring, and in their culture.

It is well established that (for whatever reason) our culture has put a lot of influence and responsibility on the broad shoulders of our pro athletes. The quarterback, the quintessential American sports position, brings more attention than perhaps any other position in sports. Sure, you have your wide receivers full of showmanship and flair, your point guards built for game winning threes. But there just seems to be something about the quarterback position, which historically has been employed by unathletic average looking white guys. These men are seen as the ultimate leaders, and are often expected to portray the character of a calm, cool, and humble leader. In both identifiers and behaviors, Kaepernick does not meet this criteria as perfectly as either of the simple-minded Manning brothers, or loveable meathead Jimmy Garropolo. In a sense, Kaepernick was doomed from the start, even in exhibiting forms of protest that many would say exemplify being a good American citizen. I for one agree with that sentiment, the only problem is that this is the remark made by so many on the extreme left side of the debate. Some that agree with this argument actually are not extremists whatsoever, like me (and maybe even you), but we have become so polarized that it is hard not to imagine yourself on one side or the other. Since I can’t solve these larger problems in the span of one high school newspaper, I’m going to find an argument to make that is not a cliche repetition of the one I actually agree with, which says:

“Protesting is in fact the most American thing someone can do. Kaepernick does not hate the soldiers, he is simply using the flag for everything it already stands for.”

Rather, lets ask the larger question: Why are athletes, and even more so, quarterbacks, so influential in our culture?

Quarterbacks take up 2 spots out of the 53 players on an NFL team. Most super bowls are not just won by star players, but even more so by offensive and defensive lines. Time and time again quarterbacks are deemed as “good” or “bad” but are simply at the mercy of their offensive line. But no one asks these six 300-pound guys what their thoughts on the world are, nor do many seem to care. Teams are branded and sold by the character and play style of their starting quarterback. Quarterbacks are the perfect drug to treat America’s addiction of star athletes and the larger concept of one representing all. What is ironic, of course, is Kaepernick’s fight for equality and representation for the voices that are not heard, the voices that are packed into larger groups, and in the case of minorities of color, those voices are often ignored. I guess what I am really trying to highlight is the irony in the fact that those who disagree with Kaepernick are pinning all their resistance towards equality on one man, thus entirely missing his point. Just as we as a country need to become more considerate of underrepresented voices, we need to understand the likelihood that there are dozens of other men in Kaepernick’s former locker room that feel the same way.

This season, the 49ers have become one of the best teams in the NFL. Defensive minded, but of course lead by their simple, handsome, quarterback. Jimmy Garropolo says the right things at the right time. And yes, as of now, he is doing a better job on the field than Kaepernick was by his last season. But I would be surprised if there aren’t a bunch of guys in red and gold who don’t have the same complaints that their former quarterback had. Maybe they aren’t as brave as Kaepernick to answer the tough questions. Or maybe, no one ever asked them.