# Were you surprised by the backlash from Kaepernick, other athletes kneeling vs. the public **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 22, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146 "2019-10-22T17:20:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/241 "2020-06-06T00:50:20Z")
[NFL’s Goodell admits league wrong about player protests](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTBpJd4P0MU) (2:40 video from CNBC) ---
**Author:** ![sps49sd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@sps49sd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sps49sd)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2020, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/242 "2020-06-06T05:07:44Z")
> [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > Those anti-protest coaches and owners can say the same thing about Kaepernick. He’s an employee of their team, and if they want, they can silence him and cut him from the team, like it happened. … He wasn’t cut, tovarish. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2020, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/243 "2020-06-06T05:46:07Z")
Great. Now Goodell needs to admit that they’ve been wrong about head injuries and player abuse. > [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees doesn’t agree with Kap and now the entire Saints club is in a war. > > Brees should have kept quiet, but I am telling you, a lot of people don’t agree with Colin. > > [https://sports.yahoo.com/brees-anthem-comments-draw-backlash-teammates-others-232723499--nfl.html](https://sports.yahoo.com/brees-anthem-comments-draw-backlash-teammates-others-232723499--nfl.html) > > [Drew Brees distorts protest issues and threatens Saints locker room](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/mike-jones/2020/06/03/drew-brees-distorts-protest-issues-and-threatens-saints-locker-room/3139520001/) Uh [yeah](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29273182/drew-brees-stands-apology-flag-comments-response-president-trump), about [that](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/drew-brees-responds-to-donald-trump-after-president-insists-that-no-one-should-protest-the-american-flag/). ---
**Author:** ![Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/244 "2020-06-11T01:52:45Z")
Update: John Tortorella has changed his opinion of kneeling. “When I stand for the flag and the national anthem, my reflection is solely on the men and women who have given their lives defending our country and constitution and freedom, along with those who are serving today,” Tortorella told The Athletic. “I have learned over the years, listening and watching, that men and women who choose to kneel during this time mean no disrespect toward the flag.” > **[John Tortorella changes controversial national anthem take](https://nypost.com/2020/06/10/john-tortorella-changes-controversial-national-anthem-take/)** > > Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella, who once threatened to bench any player who refused to stand for the national anthem, said that his views regarding such protests against racial injustice have c… > **[Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella has changed his tune on anthem protests](https://theathletic.com/1864594/2020/06/10/blue-jackets-coach-john-tortorella-has-changed-his-tune-on-anthem-protests/)** > > "I have learned over the years," he said, "that (people) who choose to kneel during this time mean no disrespect toward the flag." That is a big change. Tortorella is one of the biggest hardliners in the game. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/245 "2020-06-11T01:57:00Z")
> [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > Update: > > John Tortorella has changed his opinion of kneeling. > > “When I stand for the flag and the national anthem, my reflection is solely on the men and women who have given their lives defending our country and constitution and freedom, along with those who are serving today,” Tortorella told The Athletic. “I have learned over the years, listening and watching, that men and women who choose to kneel during this time mean no disrespect toward the flag.” > > [John Tortorella changes controversial national anthem take](https://nypost.com/2020/06/10/john-tortorella-changes-controversial-national-anthem-take/) > [Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella has changed his tune on anthem protests - The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/1864594/2020/06/10/blue-jackets-coach-john-tortorella-has-changed-his-tune-on-anthem-protests/) > > That is a big change. Tortorella is one of the biggest hardliners in the game. That’s good. Have YOU changed your opinion of kneeling? ---
**Author:** ![Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/246 "2020-06-11T03:37:45Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > That’s good. Have YOU changed your opinion of kneeling? I personally did not care for kneeling. I did not see it as a big deal. I know people like Boomer Esiason and others did. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/247 "2020-06-11T03:43:17Z")
> [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > I personally did not care for kneeling. I did not see it as a big deal. > > I know people like Boomer Esiason and others did. So? Why do you care what people like Boomer Esiason (sic) think? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/248 "2020-06-11T03:45:10Z")
So which is it? Did you not care for kneeling? Or did you not see it as a big deal? Because I don’t think both can be true at the same time. And who the fuck cares what Boomer Esiason thinks? I thought you were going to stick with offering only your own opinions. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/249 "2020-06-11T17:02:36Z")
> [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > I personally did not care for kneeling. I did not see it as a big deal. For someone who doesn’t see this as a big deal you sure seem to post a lot in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/250 "2020-06-11T17:21:00Z")
That you started. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/251 "2020-06-11T17:29:38Z")
> [@Happytree](#): > > “Scab in the nations leg” isn’t a saying here in America. Maybe Belgian Congo? ---
**Author:** ![Quint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/76d3ee/32.png) [@Quint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quint)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/252 "2020-06-11T17:56:48Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > That is a strange one, want to back that up at all? I call bullshit on it. Even Hockey, which is very much the demographic that supports Trump is iffy for that statement. > > Of course you’re trolling, it is what you do. You’re not bad at it as you’re still here. Congrats. I am surprised to hear that the hockey demographic in the US supports Trump. Is this true? ---
**Author:** ![Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/253 "2020-06-11T19:44:09Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > That you started. I started the conversation in October because it was important and it was still simmering in the public eye. That’s why. ---
**Author:** ![Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/254 "2020-06-11T19:49:03Z")
\*\* > [@Quint](#): > > I am surprised to hear that the hockey demographic in the US supports Trump. Is this true? Yes, I would say so. Don Cherry, John Krupinsky, etc. support Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/255 "2020-06-11T20:16:45Z")
> [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > Don Cherry, John Krupinsky, etc. support Trump. Don Cherry is a fired Canadian dinosaur. Know one knows who John Krupinsky is. The NHL and the players have come out pretty solidly in favor of Black Lives Matter so far. Your hero John Tortorella has done a 180 and now is fine with players kneeling for the anthem. > **[NHL's John Tortorella Changes Stance On Anthem Protests, No Disrespect To Flag](https://www.tmz.com/2020/06/10/nhl-john-tortorella-changes-stance-on-anthem-protests-columbus-blue-jackets/)** > > Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella has done a complete 180 on his stance against national anthem protests ... saying he finally understands why players would choose to protest. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/256 "2020-06-11T20:32:58Z")
What annoys me about all of this uproar about kneeling during the national anthem is at the end of the performance of it, at every sporting event I’ve attended or watched on TV, the entire crowd cheers and applauds wildly, which is improper. But there’s no complaints about that. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/257 "2020-06-12T18:48:12Z")
> A disgruntled NASCAR fan ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/258 "2020-06-12T19:14:55Z")
I finally watched it and I’m almost sure it’s a parody. Especially the bit about defending the confederate statues in the park he just learned about. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/259 "2020-06-12T19:17:53Z")
> [@Mike\_Mabes](#): > > [https://twitter.com/i/status/1270873856295817224](https://twitter.com/i/status/1270873856295817224) > > A disgruntled NASCAR fan How will people know he is a loser if he can’t let his loser freak flag fly? ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/260 "2020-06-12T20:12:00Z")
Definitely a parody. For the first minute I thought it was real because he looks a lot like a NASCAR driver who just quit. Thought it was him Here is another one > [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146.md?page=14)