Taking the Knee

Under normal circumstances, I would never opine about anything to do with football or the NFL, because, personally speaking, I hate professional sports with literally every fiber of my being. But, ultimately, the idiotic football aspect of these events is incidental. It's not about sports, it's about exercising one's right to free speech, even if that expression flies in the face of blind patriotism.

Moreover, the real emphasis here should be on asking, understanding and acknowledging WHY these players are putting themselves at risk and choosing this powerful and influential forum to express themselves.

Ultimately, getting upset at a football player for taking a knee is tantamount to getting upset at an actor, author, musician, entertainer or any public figure for using their high profile to espouse a cause (the cause in this instance, should you be unaware, being to highlight the fact that systemic racism is continuing to divide this nation). Sorry if that ruins your sporty football mood. I'd like to assume it's because these players feel it's more important than football.

Now do I wish we lived in a world where football games weren't considered so goddamn crucial? You bet I do, but way more than that, I wished we lived in a world where these individuals didn't feel it was so necessary to have to knowingly risk their jobs and their reputations -- let alone endure threats -- just for expressing their convictions.