Taking a Knee

Last year when Colin Kaepernick took a knee, I basically turned off the television.  I was appalled.  My dad had just died and any hope of enjoying football ended.  I couldn't watch football without missing Dad or having to deal with politics.  What was the point?  So, I did other things on my Sunday afternoon and Monday evenings.  During the playoffs, I finally watched a couple of games.  The sting of Dad's death had lessened and the politics died down.  I enjoyed football again.

Opening Thursday of this year, I began the football season sitting in my recliner enjoying life.  When I saw a phenomenal play, I cheered.  The joy of football was back in my life.  I like to think Dad was watching with me and now we don't need to make the phone calls to chat about the game.  My husband and I went on a mini date last Sunday having dinner at Buffalo's and watching my Niners play the Seahawks.  I think there was some kneeling, but I ignored it.  Personally, I don't think politics should be a part of sports.

Sunday, I didn't get a chance to watch football.  In the morning, I was busy working.  In the afternoon, I went outside to enjoy the beautiful fall day by taking my beagle for a walk.  I also went to the softball fields to watch the Carroll Saints play.  I missed all the hubbub that happened with the Steelers.  I am thankful I missed it all.  Again, I am appalled. 

I love, love, love football.  I have loved the game since my freshman year in high school when my friend Creg sat with me during an entire game explaining the rules and plays to me.  I soon became a San Francisco fan because those were the years of Jerry Rice and Joe Montana.  I still love the 49ers, but really, I love any good football.  I think my extra team this year is the Houston Texans.  I love that JJ Watts started a fundraiser for the aftermath of the storm in his city.  I cheered seeing clips of him and the team out volunteering.  Now this is a cause I can get behind even if they lose every game this season.  They are doing something, action.  I also loved how I could get away from all the negativity that surrounds the news and politics.  Football was a place I could escape.  Sports to me is about playing and getting away.

I truly do believe in free speech.  Hello, I write a blog.  However, I believe in taking responsibility for the words we wield.  I believe in not just speaking but also acting on the words we speak.  If Colin knelt for the National Anthem plus went out to help his cause, I might actually respect him.  It is easy to take a knee.  He gets all this attention and the world takes notice.  It created a media storm.  So what?  Even with arthritis I can kneel.  The slight action, his freedom of speech, doesn't do a thing to help the situation.  Okay, it brings awareness.  Really, we didn't know before?  You would have to live in a cabin in the woods with no source of media feed to not be aware.  Colin has the financial backing to actually help.  He has the connections to make a difference.  I am adding this after a little research.  I found where Colin is working with "Know Your Rights."  He is doing more then just taking a knee.

Every single NFL team is based in a city where they can work in the "projects."  They could simply donate money to help the young kids of all colors who are struggling in a culture of violence, drugs, and horrors that many of us have no way of imagining.  They could volunteer to work in those areas and actually change peoples' lives one at a time.  During the off season, they could volunteer as reserve police officers and bring a new attitude out on the streets.  Or maybe they would learn being a cop is a dangerous job and there is no warm fuzzy feeling when looking down the barrel of a gun.  Come on players with millions of dollars, do more then take a knee. 

At the softball game, I sat with a wonderful family.  Their son who is about 28 years old asked the football coach, his dad, if he could get tickets for a Saints football game to take his first period class he teaches at the local middle school.  I didn't ask what the class was.  It could be a physical education class or a special education class, he teaches both.  The NFL could start a program of some sort to give tickets for the inner city folks.  They could work at job placement.  All Colin and those who want to take a knee have to do is think outside the box and put their kneeling into action that actually helps their cause.

I will never agree to kneeling or sitting during the National Anthem.  I am a patriot through and through.  I served my state and country for 20 years.  I come from a long line of family members who served this great country at home and overseas.  My sons and a ton of my friends have served or are serving.  My husband and many friends served in Iraq.  I love my country.  Sure, there are things I don't like, but taking a knee is not going to make a difference.  Instead of flinging controversy, let's take action.

My heart is broken.  Football represented America with no politics, but a lot of pride.  I guess now my weekends and evenings will be spent reading, writing, and doing other things.  My husband, an Iraqi veteran, has boycotted football.  I will join him.  I can hear my dad grumbling.  He wouldn't be watching this year either.  When men, who make millions of dollars living in posh houses with expensive vehicles, can't rise for the anthem in thankfulness nor make a true difference for the people they are kneeling for, why should we support them?