During the 2016 NFL pre-season, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the commencement of the national anthem as a form of protest. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media after the game. This sparked outrage in the NFL community as thousands condemned Kaepernick saying to “stick to sports.”
One of Kaepernick’s critics included now San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Nick Bosa who tweeted during the protest saying “Kaepernick is a clown.” Bosa later apologized for the effect of his tweet saying he was young and didn’t think it through.
Despite his apology, Bosa continued to make similar comments throughout his career and is one of many critics saying to keep politics out of sports. However, that ideology must have been forgotten by Bosa as during the week 8 Sunday Night football game, Bosa crashed his teammates post-game interview to showcase his “Make America Great Again” hat. Bosa was effectively endorsing Republican nominee Donald Trump nine days before the presidential election.
The hypocrisy was not left unnoticed by fans as Kaepernick lost around $30 million and was essentially blacklisted by the NFL for bringing politics into sports by protesting social justice issues while Bosa has faced no repercussions by the NFL though breaking specific NFL rules. Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL rulebook states that anytime a player is visible to the audience or national television, players are “prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office.” In cases with political slogans the league is even stricter saying “The League will not grant permission for any club or player to wear, display, or otherwise convey messages, through helmet decals, arm bands, jersey patches, mouthpieces, or other items affixed to game uniforms or equipment, which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns.” The league has yet to fine Bosa for these violations however that doesn’t mean he won’t face a five-figure fine.
The biggest question that is consistent throughout all of this is: should we keep politics out of sports? My answer is yes.
Athletes should not use interviews or their athleisure to push their political ideology. With that being said, I believe athletes should be allowed to respectfully protest important social issues that are relevant to what the athletes believe. A good example of this is when former head coach of the New York Jets, Robert Saleh, wore a Lebanon pin to shed light on the recent bombings taking place in Lebanon. Another example is when Lebron James and other Los Angeles Lakers took a knee during the national anthem in support of the Black Lives Matter protest. None of these movements were necessarily in support of a specific candidate’s political campaign but rather social issues that are being addressed throughout the country.
With next week being the most anticipated and important presidential election of this century, athletes should be able to endorse whatever candidate they see fit on their personal social media accounts or through interviews outside of the league. However, on the field before, during, or after the game is not a place for political endorsements or a place to spread political endorsements.
There should always be a place in sports to help create change for groups who are oppressed and need help. Players and coaches should be able to show their support of social issues but not a particular candidate or campaign.