Should NFL players, such as Colin Kaepernick, be allowed to use the NFL as a platform to voice their opinions and partake in a variety of protests?
President Donald Trump
Brian Mazique - contributor for Forbes.com
Professional Athletes
Current Athletes - LeBron James, Steph Curry, etc.
Past Athletes - Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, etc.
They stand with Colin Kaepernick and his beliefs regarding the protests. They make their opinions known through social media and interviews. During Super Bowl, both NBA players were wearing a Nike special edition Colin Kaepernick jersey. Both men have also criticized the President for his comments regarding the protests.
These men and other examples in sport's history show how they are able to use their job and role in society as a platform for protesting and raising awareness and social issues. Looking from a past perspective gives reason to why athletes use their platform to bring light to social issues.
Uses his Presidential platform as a way to criticize both the players who protest but also the NFL for not doing enough to stop these protest from occurring.
Has suggested in the past the players who kneel should possibly not be in this country. He claims that any protest during the anthem is "against our country."
Trump suggests that NFL games are no place for protests because they simply are a football game and nothing more. He tells the NFL that players who protest should not be paid.
Players alongside Kaepernick also protested because they have the same beliefs and also want change in the United States. Players also protested, not by kneeling or sitting, but by locking arms and showing unity.
He agrees with the reasoning behind the anthem protests and acknowledges the injustice and racial divide in the United States. He does not however agree with some of Colin Kaepernick's protest tactics.
Pig socks - Colin Kaepernick wore socks to a workout that portrayed policemen as pigs.
Trump believes that players protesting during the NFL games is bad business for the NFL. He believes owners need to take control of the situation.
Gordon Monson
Players should try to enact change but should not do it on the field and in a uniform.