National Anthem Protests - Page 7

As the NBA and MLB return from their coronavirus-imposed hiatus, it appears TV viewers are not interested in what the increasingly woke leagues have to offer.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saints quarterback Drew Brees says he’ll remain standing for “The Star Spangled Banner,” but professed respect and support for those who protest racism and social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Jonathan Isaac of the Orlando Magic stood for the national anthem before his team’s game against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, the lone player or coach in that game who did not kneel.

Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr went on the attack on Friday, saying that those who oppose protests during the national anthem are “race-baiting.”

LeBron James was proud of the NBA’s universal anthem protests during the first night of the league’s restart. What’s more, he hoped the protests made Colin Kaepernick proud.

The NBA promised a social justice message when they restarted their season, and they delivered. On Thursday night, every player and coach for the Jazz and Pelicans took a knee during the national anthem.

The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization announced its “Ripple of Hope” award would be handed to national anthem protester Colin Kaepernick, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and several others.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Monday that if you are “offended” by the Black Lives Matter movement, you are “just ignorant.”

Monday on ABC’s “The View,” former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) compared athletes kneeling during the national anthem in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement to congregants kneeling at religious services.

Legendary NFL coach Mike Ditka has clear, unmistakable thoughts on what should happen to athletes who refuse to stand in respect for the national anthem.

The Seattle Storm and New York Liberty, walked off the court during the playing of the national anthem prior to their game on Saturday.

President Trump granted a wide-ranging interview to Barstool Sports founder and president Dave Portnoy this week, drawing ire from many on social media, including Barstool Sports host Dan Katz, better known as “Big Cat.”

During the L.A. Dodger’s game on Thursday, outfielder Mookie Betts took a knee during the national anthem despite a pledge made four years ago that he would never do such a thing.

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sam Coonrod was the only player who refused to take a knee prior to the national anthem Thursday, nor did he bow to the Black Lives Matter agenda.

Hollywood celebrities cheered their approval when major league baseball players took a knee during Thursday’s season opening games on both sides of the country. The players, who were sometimes joined by their coaches, knelt during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner.

It was expected that several players from the Yankees and Nationals would take a knee during or prior to the national anthem on Opening Day. Though, it wasn’t widely expected that every player and coach from both teams would do it.

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball players have the option of having a patch with “Black Lives Matter” or “United For Change” on a jersey sleeve on opening day of the pandemic-delayed season.

Cincinnati Reds players took part in the anthem protests that have become common during baseball’s return to play. And when they did, their team’s official social media accounts backed them up.

Saying that these protests have “never been about the flag,” Major League Baseball became the most recent pro sport to condone protests during the national anthem.

There was much speculation that the return of sports would bring with it a return of protesting during the national anthem.

The NBA’s potential restart has many basketball fans excited. However, a remark about the prospect of players protesting during the national anthem led to a Twitter spat between two of the most powerful men in the Lonestar State.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Cleveland Indians took three separate buses to PNC Park before Saturday’s exhibition against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a move designed to maintain proper social distancing while also trying to pull off a Major League Baseball season during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the league’s few remaining anthem protesters has found himself attracting headlines for a protest off the field football.

When quarterback Drew Brees dared to say wouldn’t kneel during the national anthem, NFL stars rose up in a woke backlash. However, those same players have been silent about DeSean Jackson posting anti-Semitic quotes attributed to Adolf Hitler, and his lionizing posts about notorious racist Louis Farrakhan.

Last month, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt excoriated fans who called Colin Kaepernick anti-American, but Watt has been mysteriously silent since Kaepernick tweeted that the Independence Day holiday is a celebration of “white supremacy.”

ESPN is planning a new documentary focused on the NFL’s original anthem protester, Colin Kaepernick. Moreover, the network is working with one of their most controversial former talents to do it.

Nike has removed all Redskins merchandise from their website. Now, according to a report, the sports apparel giant will not put the team’s merchandise back on their site until they change their name.

Nike has not responded to a request for comment after Colin Kaepernick, one of their leading pitchmen, called Independence Day a “celebration of white supremacy.”

Colin Kaepernick took to Twitter on Independence Day to deliver a strong rebuke to the celebration of the nation’s founding.

Former NFL player and GOP candidate for Congress in Utah Burgess Owens, blasted the National Football League for its decision to air the “black national anthem” before season opening games this season.

During an interview on Tuesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver refused to directly answer a question about players taking a knee.

Samantha Murphy, a goalkeeper for the National Women’s Soccer League, shocked many by standing during the national anthem on Saturday, while the rest of her team took a knee.

Netflix is creating a limited series based on the life of former NFL star and National Anthem protestor Colin Kaepernick, focusing on his early years as a high school student growing up in California. Ava DuVernay, the filmmaker behind Selma, is the creator of the project along with Kaepernick.

Fox analyst and former Team USA soccer star Alexi Lalas has deleted and apologized for a tweet in which he said that, in the current climate, standing for the national anthem “takes courage.”

DENVER (AP) — John Carlos wants to abolish the rule that bans protests at the Olympics.

Players for the Portland Thorns and the North Carolina Courage knelt during the national anthem Saturday when the National Women’s Soccer League opened the Challenge Cup tournament in Utah.