So it is almost Superbowl Sunday, and of course there is lots of talk about the NFL and CK going on. Multiple bands turned down the half time show in order to avoid being linked to the controversy. The artists who decided to be part of the biggest show on TV, have been mired in the controversy and have basically had to disconnect from social media until the big game is over. While this topic is very polarizing, I believe one of the key arguments needs to be addressed.
First off lets get the obvious pieces of this argument out of the way. Did the NFL miss handle this situation? Yes, with out a doubt the handling of this situation could have been handled much better. The NFL was not prepared for a controversy like this and quickly found themselves in a no win situation. Regardless of how they reacted, they would alienate a large part of the fan base. I honestly believe the NFL was trying to simply shut this controversy down with out having to take a side. However in doing so, they obviously did in fact take a side.
Are NFL owners racist? Well the chances that some are, is pretty high. Are all of them? Probably not, but it is safe to say that racism is present and does play a role in this controversy. However, so does politics, religion, socialization, greed, and several other factors. To blur the issue of racism is the mentality that athletes are property. As a member of a team you surrender your individuality to a degree and to many, simply view you as a cog in a machine. You are replaceable, just like any other part of a machine. Regardless of color, you are just a piece of meet that is temporarily the best at doing a particular job.
Do athletes have the right to protest? While this argument is silly, it remains one I hear many people make. These athletes are doing a job, no different then you or I. They are not special or in any way segregated from the rest of society. They have the same rights and privileges afforded all American's. The idea that they represent something higher, more noble that eliminates them from taking part in serious discussions affecting our society is simply asinine. The same argument applies to actors and musicians. They are all entitled to the same freedom of speech and peaceful protest that we are afforded.
Players are working, and should not be protesting. This is an interesting argument, and if it holds true, then do you or I have the right to conduct any type of protest while at work? Can we discuss politics or other controversial subjects on our breaks? If we say yes to this, then the majority of us must be just as guilty as these players? The time between warm-ups and the start of the game is in fact a break time for the players, are they not free to speak among themselves? Is their right to free speech somehow surrendered? By taking a knee are they in anyway being non-peaceful? These American citizens are simply making a peaceful statement that represents THEIR beliefs. This is equivalent to a athlete making a display of their religious beliefs after scoring (Tim Tebow). Does the exhibit of a religious belief not represent the whole team in just the same manner as taking a knee?
CK is not playing due to the controversy he created. While this is up for wild debate, and it would not be surprising that as the creator of this movement he is being singled out. Controversy in major sports is nothing new, and has ended some careers, but only slightly tarnished others. Lets take the Quarterback Micheal Vick for an example. Vick an all star player, went to prison for 22 month during yet returned to the game. After six years playing, he would spend nearly two years in prison, and he was still able to return and play another seven seasons. In 2018 alone there were 34 players found guilty of crimes, yet all remain active players (1). So obviously breaking the law doesn't get you banned from the NFL, and causing large scale controversy previous to this incident doesn't get you banned, why is CK not playing?
So why is CK not playing? Racist owners? The NFL is trying to make an example of him? Too much controversy for any of the teams to handle? Most likely a mix of all of the above. But could it be something much simpler? Before he ever knelt, he was benched, not once, but several times. His play was not what it once was. His last two seasons he was 2-6 and 1-10 with a QBR in the 40's (2). He was often benched, eventually lost his starting job, and there were rumors that he would not be getting his contract renewed. Nike was considering cutting ties with him (3). The controversy of taking a knee only compounded issues.
While racism, greed, hate, and a million other things that make us each uniquely human are at play in this controversy. We will never know the true reasons at the heart of each individual players actions. However, we must ask the question, would CK have gotten another chance had he still been at the top of his game?
1) https://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/arrests/
2) https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00.htm
3) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/26/sports/nike-colin-kaepernick.html
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