It’s been a few years now since the kneeling controversy erupted in the NFL world. As a long time fan, I can’t help but be in awe of the power of sport to bring about such generational conversations. I’ve heard arguments on both sides of the aisle, some heated, some thought-provoking, some misguided...but all of them passionate. Does the NFL still cover the kneelers?
Well, I guess it depends on who you ask. To some, kneeling during the national anthem is an act of extreme disrespect to the country and all the men and women that have fought and continue to fight for it. To others, it’s a form of peaceful protest, one that recognizes the country’s history of racial discrimination and police brutality in minority communities.
Personally, I feel the NFL has hammered down a very fair and clear stance on kneeling. While of course individual teams are allowed to have their own policies, the league itself has declared that kneeling during the national anthem will not be sanctioned and will instead reward players that stand during the song. While this policy did draw some controversy, I believe it was necessary to avoid even greater controversy.
I’ve been to my fair share of NFL games recently, and I’ve noticed that reaction to kneeling has shifted tremendously over the time since the controversy first started. While yes, some fans still boo and jeer when a player kneels, there are a significantly higher number of fans cheering or simply staying silent in respect. It’s quite a sight to see.
For the most part, I’d say the NFL world has come a long way from the outright disgust that ensued from the first kneel. The NFL has gone from penalizing the kneelers for their protests, to understanding that both sides of the argument have valid points and deserve to be respected.
But while the NFL may not be punishing the kneelers as harshly as it once did, I think it’s important to understand the true meaning behind their protests. The knee was never meant to be a disrespectful gesture. Instead, it allowed for their voices to be heard and recognized, and those voices will shape our future.
As for the kneeling being an NFL issue, I’d say it was, but it isn’t now. It’s a national issue. Players kneeling are prompting conversations, forming dialogue not only about how we should change the League but also about the more important issues concerning our society at large.
Ultimately, the NFL still has policies in place against kneeling. The League is doing all that it can to discourage players from engaging in the protest, yet still provides a platform for them to express their views. It might not be perfect, but it’s progress.
That said, it’s not only up to the league to take action. We, the fans, need to be involved. To effectively bring about the much needed change, we need to remember that the kneelers are merely expressing their choice of freedom of speech. It’s up to us to have an informed discussion, to speak up when we see wrong, and to try to shape our Gut to come.
We need to keep pushing for change. We need to remember that in the end, the knee can be a powerful sign of respect and hope. So yes, the NFL still covers the kneelers, and it’s up to us to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.