Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem has garnered plenty of responses, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s op-ed piece for The Washington Post may be the most eloquent show of support for the 49ers QB.
“Patriotism isn’t just getting teary-eyed on the Fourth of July or choked up at war memorials. It’s supporting what the Fourth of July celebrates and what those war memorials commemorate: the U.S. Constitution’s insistence that all people should have the same rights and opportunities, and that it is the obligation of the government to make that happen,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote. “When the government fails in those obligations, it is the responsibility of patriots to speak up and remind them of their duty.”
Kaepernick said his decision was based on injustices in America that he feels go against what the flag and country represent. Social media has come after Kaepernick mercilessly, describing the many benefits the country has afforded him — most notably his multimillion-dollar football contract. But Abdul-Jabbar, a Basketball Hall of Famer who has been outspoken on social issues in his life, used that very fact to illustrate what Kaepernick is risking.
“Kaepernick’s choice not to stand during the national anthem could create a public backlash that might cost him millions in future endorsements and affect his value as a player on his team, reducing salary earnings or even jeopardizing his job. If team ticket sales seriously dipped as a result, he would pay for his stance …
“One sign of the maturation of American society is the willingness of those in the public eye, especially athletes, to openly take a political stand, even if it could harm their careers.”
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Abdul-Jabbar’s take will certainly not be the last regarding the topic, but it will likely hold up as one of the most thoughtful.