Some hot takes have been flying around the football world since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a seat for the national anthem Friday night.
Some players have come out in support of Kaepernick’s actions. Meanwhile, others have concluded that he’s disrespecting the flag and his nation.
While most of the opinions of fellow football players have been even-keeled, some have taken this situation to throw shots the quarterback’s way.
Green Bay Packers signal caller Aaron Rodgers surely isn’t one of those players.
“I think everybody looks at the flag differently. To me, the national anthem is a moment where I like to reflect and give thanks for the opportunity to do what I’m doing, to be out on the field,” Rodgers told the Sporting News. “The beauty of our country is that when it was founded that they took some time to lay out civil liberties in the first 10 amendments — the Bill of Rights. I’m a firm believer in those civil liberties and the ability to have your own opinion.”
The idea that the flag means something different to everyone isn’t something we’ve seen thrown around since Kaepernick’s protest last week. It’s a stance that indicates we’re all free to interpret its meaning in an individual manner.
This strays a bit from what New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees had to say about Kaepernick’s protest earlier in the week.
“But the American flag is what represents those freedoms. It represents the very freedom that Colin Kaepernick gets the opportunity to exercise by speaking out his opinion in a peaceful manner about that issue,” Brees said, via ESPN. “Like, it’s an oxymoron that you’re sitting down, disrespecting that flag that has given you the freedom to speak out.”
It’s apparent that there is a major split here. When the top quarterbacks around the league chime in, it’s also apparent that the controversy has taken on a whole new level.
For his part, Rodgers did make sure to give his opinion about what he believes the flag stands for.
“When I think about the flag, I think about the greatest ideals of America. I think about the men and women who served proudly and died in wars for that flag to be flown,” Rodgers continued. “I think about the men and women in uniform right now who are out there protecting our freedom. I’m filled with a lot of thanks and pride in those people. That’s what I think about when I see the flag.”
To be clear, Kaepernick made sure to note he wasn’t slighting the military with his particular act of protest. Rather, it was about making the point that the United States could do better to represent the flag itself.
To that, Rodgers understands full well that Kaepernick has the right to protest as he sees fit.
“But again, the beauty in this country is that we have the opportunity to make up our own mind and think for ourselves.”
Kaepernick has made it clear he will continue to sit for the anthem until he sees some changes within the United States. However long that lasts is anyone’s guess.
What we do know is that fellow NFL players aren’t holding back from providing their opinions on the topic.