# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/101 "2019-10-24T11:46:24Z")
> [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > As for Kaepernick, he should probably try to play again and stay above the fray. Why moöse and sqvuirrel no kneel, why, why, why? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/102 "2019-10-24T11:58:43Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I’m not surprised that there was a backlash, but I’m surprised at how long the backlash has lasted. This is closest to me. I’m not surprised that it got some backlash, but I didn’t expect it to be this strong. I mean, I know people who legitimately freak out at “disrespecting the flag,” so I expect them being upset. But this is clearly much more than that. I definitely didn’t expect the tone deaf response by the NFL, which only made it worse. And, of course, I didn’t even expect Trump to become president, let alone use Twitter to revive the issue. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/103 "2019-10-24T12:01:00Z")
Oh, and we’ve just learned that the way Russian trolling works is not that they necessarily have actual Russians writing things, but that they convince Americans to do it. That said, someone who doesn’t address an accusation of being a troll despite still participating in a thread usually is one. Normal people don’t want to be perceived as trolls and will get upset about the accusation. Sure, some trolls use that to their advantage, so getting upset isn’t proof that someone isn’t a troll. Plus there’s just bringing up an issue that is highly political and not really relevant right now, despite being a new poster. That’s already a troll technique. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/104 "2019-10-24T12:09:59Z")
> [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > Not everyone has to agree with Kaepernick. Kneeling is better than any other protest but Coughlin and Tortorella don’t want that in their locker rooms. But it’s not in their locker rooms. It’s on the field. Now, if we went back to the way things were done a decade ago and kept the players in the locker room until after the anthem, it’d clear that problem right up. On the other topic under discussion, I wonder how our new member feels about Strawberries. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/105 "2019-10-24T12:30:04Z")
I was surprised that someone could be offended by another person kneeling, which is a sign of deference. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/106 "2019-10-24T12:55:35Z")
The NFL is _so_ patriotic that it had honor-the-troops stunts at the beginning of games. Except the _only_ reason they did these events is that the Department of Defense paid them money to do so. I’d call that checkbook patriotism. And while Colin Kapernick was quietly kneeling during the national anthem, how many in the stands were wearing baseball caps, talking or taking the time to use the bathroom or get a beer? And how many of them were booing Kapernick’s actions, or applauding and cheering at the conclusion of the anthem? Isn’t all of that disrespecting the flag? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/107 "2019-10-24T13:32:48Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > On the other topic under discussion, I wonder how our new member feels about Strawberries. I’d be surprised if he gets that reference. You know, the repurposed secret cities don’t always get the best literature. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/108 "2019-10-24T14:01:25Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > But it’s not in their locker rooms. It’s on the field. Now, if we went back to the way things were done a decade ago and kept the players in the locker room until after the anthem, it’d clear that problem right up. I believe in response to Colin Kapernick, the new NFL policy is that the players are allowed to stay in the locker room but if they go to the field, they have to stand. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/109 "2019-10-24T15:06:53Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The NFL is _so_ patriotic that it had honor-the-troops stunts at the beginning of games. Except the _only_ reason they did these events is that the Department of Defense paid them money to do so. I’d call that checkbook patriotism. > > And while Colin Kapernick was quietly kneeling during the national anthem, how many in the stands were wearing baseball caps, talking or taking the time to use the bathroom or get a beer? And how many of them were booing Kapernick’s actions, or applauding and cheering at the conclusion of the anthem? Isn’t all of that disrespecting the flag? You have a point, yes, but Tortorella and Coughlin and Esiason doesn’t see it that way. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/110 "2019-10-24T15:08:45Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The NFL is _so_ patriotic that it had honor-the-troops stunts at the beginning of games. Except the _only_ reason they did these events is that the Department of Defense paid them money to do so. I’d call that checkbook patriotism. > > And while Colin Kapernick was quietly kneeling during the national anthem, how many in the stands were wearing baseball caps, talking or taking the time to use the bathroom or get a beer? And how many of them were booing Kapernick’s actions, or applauding and cheering at the conclusion of the anthem? Isn’t all of that disrespecting the flag? You have a point. This is a debate that will continue for decades. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/111 "2019-10-24T15:19:31Z")
It’s interesting to me how many video game fans that were unperturbed by or supported Kapernick getting shuffled out of the NFL and policies quietly stopping similar protests are up in arms about Blizzard banning a Hearthstone (video game) team for making pro Hong Kong statements during a streamed game. Apparently quiet and subtle protest against police brutality in the US should be silenced, but loud blatant protest on a similar topic in China should be protected. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/112 "2019-10-24T15:32:13Z")
> [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > You have a point, yes, but Tortorella and Coughlin and Esiason doesn’t see it that way. Neither do most racists. Why exactly do we have to cater to their wishes? ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/113 "2019-10-24T15:39:00Z")
I shouldn’t ever be surprised anymore at conservatives’ willingness/ability to misinterpret and lose their sh\*t over something that doesn’t affect them in the least. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/114 "2019-10-24T15:39:45Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > It’s interesting to me how many video game fans that were unperturbed by or supported Kapernick getting shuffled out of the NFL and policies quietly stopping similar protests are up in arms about Blizzard banning a Hearthstone (video game) team for making pro Hong Kong statements during a streamed game. I too am interested. How many were there? > [@](#): > > Apparently quiet and subtle protest against police brutality in the US should be silenced, but loud blatant protest on a similar topic in China should be protected. I don’t see how that follows. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/115 "2019-10-24T15:40:11Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Neither do most racists. Why exactly do we have to cater to their wishes? Because all opinions must be respected? HAHAHA! I crack myself up. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/116 "2019-10-24T16:01:16Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Neither do most racists. Why exactly do we have to cater to their wishes? Just because they oppose Kap does not mean they are racists. That’s where the labeling goes wrong. They don’t have to agree with him, he is not God. Coaches do what they want, it’s their team. I did not have a problem with Kap’s stance, but America is a country of free speech. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/117 "2019-10-24T16:04:59Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > I shouldn’t ever be surprised anymore at conservatives’ willingness/ability to misinterpret and lose their **sh\*t over something that doesn’t affect them in the least.** White guys get killed by police too, but most people in general don’t care. It may not affect Tortorella, but it’s his team. He can do whatever he wants, he can bench players. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_c-E_i8Q5G0/maxresdefault.jpg "Dallas Police body cameras show moment Tony Timpa stopped breathing") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c-E_i8Q5G0&t=199s) MLB legend Tony La Russa said he would do the same. The video here shows that Tortorella is not someone to rile up. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/hrESF7xj1sE/maxresdefault.jpg "Tony La Russa: Colin Kaepernick protest all publicity, no substance | SI NOW | Sports Illustrated") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrESF7xj1sE) ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/118 "2019-10-24T16:06:04Z")
> [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](#): > > I did not have a problem with Kap’s stance, but America is a country of free speech. Apparently it’s a country of free speech, except when you exercise it during the anthem in which case you’re deprived of your livelihood. Kap is not demanding that we kneel, what justifies us to demand that he stand? Is his free speech worth less than ours? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/119 "2019-10-24T16:23:51Z")
Out of idle curiosity Yankees; do you happen to be white; do you happen to have been in the military? ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146/120 "2019-10-24T16:30:10Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Out of idle curiosity Yankees; do you happen to be white; do you happen to have been in the military? I am not white, I was not in the military. But I know a lot of white folk in my NJ town who despise Kap. I personally think the whole Kap stuff is overblown, but, it’s America. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146.md?page=7)