Colin Kaepernick may not be playing in the NFL this season, but his legacy can be seen everywhere. Several players around the league are showing their support for the unsigned player, by kneeling during the National Anthem, rather than showing respect. While there is no question about their right to express their beliefs, fans are questioning the hypocrisy of their grandstanding. 
Photo credit: SBNation
Eleven Cleveland Browns players were seen kneeling together during Monday night’s game against the Giants.
The players who took a knee during the anthem include Chris Kirksey, Seth DeValve, Duke Johnson Jr., Ricardo Louis, Isaiah Crowell, Terrance Magee, Jamar Taylor, Jamie Collins, Gabriel Peppers, Calvin Pryor, and Kenny Britt.
Browns’ head coach, Hue Jackson, supports his players choice to kneel as long as their protest is “peaceful and he has advance notice.” The Browns organization issued an official statement as well:
“As an organization, we have a profound respect for our country’s National Anthem, flag and the servicemen and servicewomen in the United States and abroad. We feel it’s important for our team to join in this great tradition and special moment of recognition, at the same time we also respect the great liberties afforded by our country, including the freedom of personal expression.”
Photo credit: American Liberty PAC
Unfortunately for them, not everyone agrees.
Respect is something you show through your actions, not just with your words. Another major problem with their political gerrymandering is that it’s very much one-sided.
Conservative free speech rally-goers are being labeled as “white supremacists.” Christians are called “Islamaphobes.” President Trump’s supporters have been billed as uneducated, redneck, hate-mongers, and “deplorable.” Their rhetoric has given way to violence as people are being stabbed for their hairstyle choices.
What about any of that exudes freedom?
Regardless, just as NFL players have the right to kneel, fans have the right to not watch them do it. They don’t have to buy tickets or merchandise. Perhaps they will find their money is better spent with organizations that actually support active-duty soldiers and wounded veterans.
