Sports & Society - San Francisco 49ers Football Team

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On August 26, 2016, a picture was tweeted out by team press depicting the San Francisco 49ers football team participating during the national anthem before the start of their third preseason game. There wasn’t anything unordinary about the picture until viewers noticed Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, sitting on the bench as the rest of the team stood with their hand across their chests. Not even fans during the game had noticed Kaepernick taking a seat during the national anthem; However, once the media took notice the situation blew up. Two days after the picture was tweeted out, Kaepernick held an interview with NFL media. Kaepernick told reporters the reason he decided to sit during the anthem was in response to the injustices in America; Specifically the mistreatment and unlawful killing of black people by law enforcement. The New York Times published a small article discussing Kaepernick’s interview and highlighted the 49ers’ managers recognizing that the players were “encouraged, not required” to participate in the national anthem. The article also quoted Kaepernick saying, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” At this point the story is in developing stages as sports fans are starting to form their opinions and feelings on Kaepernick’s actions. The media is choosing what angles to report their story from. External factors motivating this story include the recent killings of unarmed black men by law enforcement at the time. The media uses these factors in developing their story and to help create controversy amongst the viewers. As the narrative is emerging, some part of the audience understand Kaepernick’s protest and call for change, however many feel that he is disrespecting America and all who have served and died for our flag by rejecting the national anthem.

The story escalates on September 1, 2016, where for the fourth game in a row, Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand during the singing of the National Anthem before an NFL game. Kaepernick’s decision to kneel this Thursday night seemed to be especially distasteful to the fans attending the game live, as the San Diego Chargers were coincidentally also celebrating their 28th Annual Salute to the Military ceremony, which featured 240 members of the armed forces unfurling a huge American flag during the anthem. The media took advantage of this opportunity as the Los Angeles Times published an article the following day and reported that fans had clearly noticed Kaepernick sitting out and this time teammate Eric Reid joined Kaepernick in kneeling during the anthem. The article also reports that fans showed their distaste by booing at Kaepernick for 50 minutes before the anthem was even started and also booing him on and off the field throughout the game. Although Kaepernick was playing well and helping the 49ers win games, fans and several reporters harshly criticized him regardless. Even people who weren’t football fans were forming their opinions on Kaepernick and they either agreed with his movement or saw him as an unpatriotic, anti-American. It is easy to see that Kaepernick was becoming antagonist to many and the media played a huge role in this. By focusing on the response from fans and on the negative opinions directed at Kaepernick, the media made the story less about what Kaepernick’s purpose intended it to be. Kaepernick stated several times that the purpose of his protests were not intended to be directed toward to the soldiers who fought for our flag, but many couldn’t accept this rationale because of all the negative press from the media. However although many criticized him, not all press was damaging. Kaepernick had begun to gain key supporters who felt that Kaepernick had the right to protest and even supported him by joining in. The Washington Post released an article September 5, highlighting U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe taking a kneel during the national anthem before a match. Another notable supporter of Kaepernick was President Barack Obama. The New York Times reported Obama saying, “Kaepernick was ‘exercising his constitutional right’ by refusing to stand during the national anthem.” As a result, these opposing views increased the already established racial tension across the nation. Every single game that Kaepernick played, the fans and the media watched to see if Kaepernick would stand for the anthem and every game people would express their reactions when he didn’t. Tensions only worsened as the season progressed and more media outlets covered the situation and continued to slander Kaepernick. With more coverage though, more and more athletes supported Kaepernick by taking a knee during the national anthem. From other NFL players, to women’s and men’s basketball players, to high school football players, to even college football cheerleaders. Most athletes were able to relate to where Kaepernick was coming from and wanted to also use the platform that they had to bring light to injustices faced by minorities. Those who were in solidarity also decided to raise a fist or link arms during the anthem, to prevent portraying the negative connotation that had manifested from the media.