If your favorite NBA player pulled a Kaepernick?

[Ice Trae]

i wouldnt care. Nationalism in sports is dumb anyway

[nomansland]

I find the nationalism displayed at pro sports events annoying and unnecessary (and mildly fascist), so I don't care even though I think Kaepernick is a bit of a douche otherwise.

[Bergmaniac]

No idea who this guy is, but I find the obsession with respecting national anthems and flags completely idiotic, so any time someone pisses off the ones who takes this stuff seriously I welcome it.

[miamiheat319]

I would be completely irate and break all ties I have with the player as a fan. There wouldn't be much more that my favorite player could do that would piss me off as much, as far as political statements goe. The NBA or NFL aren't the only leagues that you can get paid millions upon millions of dollars for playing a game. They're just the ones that can give you the most. And that's all that matters in the end.

[Yoshun]

Kaepernick blows.

[chrisnu]

Meh

[Vibranium]

As an American. Wouldn't care.

[Sofia]

By virtually every statistical measurement blacks have a better life in America than any other country in the world. Kap is just a weak mind who buys the left wing narrative that blacks live oppressed lives here.

[Dajadeed]

By virtually every statistical measurement blacks have a better life in America than any other country in the world. Kap is just a weak mind who buys the left wing narrative that blacks live oppressed lives here.

And four people and1'd this. Smh...

The "be quiet and know your place" argument. It's so racist that it doesn't even address the issues, it just says "Hey, be thankful that you are here in the first place and stop fighting for equality" because it makes old white people uncomfortable.

I have no problem with people hating him for this because it's disrespectful, especially military families.

The national anthem at games is pointless, but if it's played then there is a certain decorum to be followed. Deviating from that brings all sorts of things into play, least of which is people who don't think you should be complaining about anything in the first place.


It wouldn't be my choice of how to bring attention to something, but good for him if he can handle both the legit and outlandish backlash.

[zeebneeb]

Nationalism at sporting events makes me want to puke. The national anthem shouldn't be sung. I don't stand and sing as a spectator at events and I wouldn't be standing if I was a player. I have respect for any player willing to go through the backlash of ignorant fans who will say stupid crap like "if you don't love America why don't you leave?". Unfortunately America is full of these people.

Why does it make you want to puke? It's an American league, on American soil, and they play the national anthem of the leagues home base.

Loving your country is vomitous to you?

It's not ignorant to be angry at someone who hates their own country, or does something that sems to belittle the country they love .What's ignorant is to try and belittle those who do love their country and show pride in it with pictures that have 'Murica on them as if it sucks to be proud, or have actul anger at those who do stand for the Anthem. Explain your way of thinking to countless soldiers families who have died for this country and those who have lost freinds that love going to a basketball game and standing for the national anthem and having pride in their country.

Now is what that NFL player who did this wrong? Nope. I support him 100%. Dissent is what being an American is all about. Making fun of other people who love their country is not.

I'm one of those people who firmly believe that if your not trying to make this country better, but instead just love to make fun of those who do, or just make fun of fellow Americans in general and complain, yeah, go ahead and enjoy Europe. Enjoy South, or Central America. I have zero problem with political backlash, or making political statements at sporting events, or dissent in all its forms.

It's what being an american is all about.

[King Close]

I would stop being a fan of his immediately if he did what Kap did. Dude is on a 120Million $ contract but claims he's oppressed. This whole thing is so stupid, people are mental midgets these days and always want to play this race card. Grow some balls and admit your faults, or stop trying to knit-pick. Slavery was 400 years ago, get over yourselves.

[coachcav]

How would you feel? The climate today is more conducive to Kaepernick seeing copycats than it was for Mahmoud Abdul Rauf back in the day, and it's possible we start seeing this (unless the NBA has a rule im not aware of)?

Would you like that player more, less, or zero difference? Personally a lot of it to me depends on the messenger, what player it is and where I think the motivation stems from.... I've always viewed Kaepernick as a wannabe counter culture icon who has been trying too hard since day 1 to gain that status based on some of his actions in the past and the way he presents himself, so I'm a bit conflicted about his actual motivation. From afar I kind of view him as immature and read this mostly as an attempt to seem "cool" to those he views as such. I don't know the guy, but that's my read from afar. I had certain perceptions about him before this whole scenario took place, and this only enforces some of them...

So what if your favorite player pulled a Kap?

Doesn't matter. In an ideal world, all sports/entertainment and politics should never mix. I rather them focus on the product. If they want to do something in their own time that is fine. I am not paying to watch them to make political statements.

However that is not how it works. Colin expressed himself just like Lebron and many others did before games in one way or another. If anyone had a brain, he did not do it to disrespect the military or vets like so many people are attacking him for. It is not a requirement to stand for the anthem and the 49ers and the NFL reiterated that statement. He didn't stand during the anthem. So what? It doesn't change the fact he is American and has the same rights and freedoms you do to criticize him. It seems you just don't like him in general and wanted to take the opportunity to bash him. Back to the original question, If they want to take a stand, I am fine with it. It is their right and I will not be the one to take that away from them. I may not like it to take place during sporting events or leagues get involved into politics in general but I can't control people. I know people are going to do things I disagree with but it is their constitutional right to do so.

[BallerTalk]

By virtually every statistical measurement blacks have a better life in America than any other country in the world. Kap is just a weak mind who buys the left wing narrative that blacks live oppressed lives here.

That's an impressively tone deaf sentiment.
The fact that they enjoy a better standard of living in the U.S. is a testament to the work they've done to make America what it is despite centuries of racism and systematic oppression, not because it doesn't exist.

Regarding Kaepernick, at a minimum I have to respect a man willing to incur risk for a righteous cause in which he believes.
Whether I agree with their stance or not, I never begrudge athletes for having (or expressing) thoughts, ideas, or principles that extend beyond their sport.

[LLcoleJ]

I would stop being a fan of his immediately if he did what Kap did. Dude is on a 120Million $ contract but claims he's oppressed. This whole thing is so stupid, people are mental midgets these days and always want to play this race card. Grow some balls and admit your faults, or stop trying to knit-pick. Slavery was 400 years ago, get over yourselves.

Good news is that his 120 million dollar contract has a lot of language in it to pretty much use an instance like this to cut bait on him. He sucks as a QB anyway.

Next point. I believe him, if that's how he feels. Let's not pretend like racism does not exist ( see next point) but regardless of his thoughts, as an Ameeican he can say whatever he wants. That's the American Way. He has payed more in taxes than most have earned in a lifetime.

Finally, not to nit-pick but slavery wasn't 400 years ago.

foot note: Colin Kapernick sucks.

[jbk1234]

He has the freedom of expression in this country and so do his critics. America isn't flawless but neither is any other country.

I have an issue with people who make millions of dollars playing sports who are critical of society but who have no problem keeping all the money they earn to themselves. When everyone views improving society as someone else's job, it turns into no one's job.

[ken6199]

Regarding Kaepernick, at a minimum I have to respect a man willing to incur risk for a righteous cause in which he believes.
Whether I agree with their stance or not, I never begrudge athletes for having (or expressing) thoughts, ideas, or principles that extend beyond their sport.

A lot of this. And similarly,

Read on Twitter

[campybatman]

I would respect him or her if their actions support individualism.

The national anthem has no place in sports like it doesn't in the classroom. In my opinion, it alienates you from one another. That is, if you're an individual that doesn't want to stand up and place your hand over your heart and/or sing with everyone else for whatever the reason. That's your prerogative. However, you're ostracized by your peers or by the other people in attendance. Basically people dislike other people that have a brain and can think and speak for themselves because they're envious of this person for making them feel like they can't or won't do the same. You aren't obligated and it isn't necessarily disrespectful. You're aren't a lemming. Furthermore, narrow-minded people in society try to make you feel like you're obligated. However, you shouldn't do something just because you feel like you have to do it in order to appease everybody. No, you must do what feels right or makes sense to you in your heart and you live with the consequences thereafter. Most importantly, it's a freedom of choice. But, certain people want to take exception to this and take away your freedom of choice. And, if you were to treat them like that, they wouldn't appreciate it. See, it's a double standard. Now, they see how it feels. People are so tactless.

[Black Jack]

I would stop being a fan of his immediately if he did what Kap did. Dude is on a 120Million $ contract but claims he's oppressed. This whole thing is so stupid, people are mental midgets these days and always want to play this race card. Grow some balls and admit your faults, or stop trying to knit-pick. Slavery was 400 years ago, get over yourselves.

He isn't claiming HE is being oppressed - he's saying he's upset that OTHER black people are being killed and the killers aren't being punished.

Not sure why the concept of empathy is so tough for many.

[Braggins]

I haven't stood for the anthem or acknowledged the pledge of allegiance since I was a kid. Nationalism is a mental disease.

[Dr Spaceman]

Nationalism at sporting events makes me want to puke. The national anthem shouldn't be sung. I don't stand and sing as a spectator at events and I wouldn't be standing if I was a player. I have respect for any player willing to go through the backlash of ignorant fans who will say stupid crap like "if you don't love America why don't you leave?". Unfortunately America is full of these people.

Why does it make you want to puke? It's an American league, on American soil, and they play the national anthem of the leagues home base.

Loving your country is vomitous to you?

It's not ignorant to be angry at someone who hates their own country, or does something that sems to belittle the country they love .What's ignorant is to try and belittle those who do love their country and show pride in it with pictures that have 'Murica on them as if it sucks to be proud, or have actul anger at those who do stand for the Anthem. Explain your way of thinking to countless soldiers families who have died for this country and those who have lost freinds that love going to a basketball game and standing for the national anthem and having pride in their country.

Now is what that NFL player who did this wrong? Nope. I support him 100%. Dissent is what being an American is all about. Making fun of other people who love their country is not.

I'm one of those people who firmly believe that if your not trying to make this country better, but instead just love to make fun of those who do, or just make fun of fellow Americans in general and complain, yeah, go ahead and enjoy Europe. Enjoy South, or Central America. I have zero problem with political backlash, or making political statements at sporting events, or dissent in all its forms.

It's what being an american is all about.

It's because historically nationalism is associated with and/or used to justify things like imperialism, racism, fascism, and xenophobia. Our own country isn't exempt- the checkered history of nationalism includes the Confederacy, McCarthyism/witch hunts and, lately, demagoguery in the form of Trump. American nationalism isn't new, but the type of overt stuff we see today has a lot of roots in war-era propaganda and things like that.

There's also the fact that plenty of Americans today don't see a country in line with things they personally value- a country that has no problem with mass surveillance of its own citizens, for example.

There's definitely nothing wrong with loving your country. But as for people being uncomfortable with the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem, and the pervasive flag-bearing, I think you'll find this is completely unheard of in the rest of the first world, and where there are parallels they are almost exclusively negative.