The cause is social justice, but the consequences for athletes are personal and severe.
In 2016, Colin Kaepernick–a now-former NFL player–raised global awareness about police brutality against people of color by kneeling during the national anthem. This protest sparked a movement across the U.S. Many athletes in the NFL and beyond joined Kaepernick in his stand against injustice by kneeling, sitting on the bench (rather than standing), or refusing to come out on the field for the playing of the Anthem.
But stands against injustice do not come without a price tag. Many athletes have faced backlash from the public, media, and others. Kaepernick, for example, lost his contract and has been unable to find a new team. Many believe that it is an outcome of his activism.
Kaepernick was not the first athlete to face severe consequences, and he’s unlikely to be the last. Years ago, champion boxer Muhammed Ali (known as Cassius Clay at the time) was banned from the sport for three years because he refused to join the U.S. Army. The reason for refusing–his opposition to the Vietnam War.
Another example is what happened during (and after) the 1968 Olympic Games. Tommie Smith and John Carlos protested during the medal ceremony for the men’s 200-meter sprint. On the podium, Smith and Carlos wore black socks (to symbolize African-American poverty) and black gloves (to express African-American unity). When the national anthem played, both athletes bowed their heads and raised their fists in the Black Power salute. U.S. Olympic officials immediately suspended both Olympians and sent them home, where they both received death threats and struggled to find long-term jobs.
It takes bravery for athletes to take public stands. The cause may be social justice, but the consequences felt are individual and often severe. I thank them for making these stands and hope future athletes will exhibit the courage to follow in their footsteps.
