NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has carried out many protests in favor of the Black Lives Matter movement. He has decided to kneel down during the National Anthem before every game in attempt to show people that he will not stand by and do nothing while black people are oppressed throughout the country.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."
Sports writer and podcast host David Zirin backed Colin Kaepernick’s actions in a contentious tweet.
WWE star Randy Orton went against Zirin’s remarks in another tweet that counteracted Zirin’s beliefs.If you're sneering that it doesn't take courage to raise your fist during the anthem, then you're one of the reasons why it takes courage.— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) September 20, 2016
“Sneering? More like shaking my head. Courage? Lol riiiight. Courage. That’s what it takes to stand up and fight, not raise a fist,” Orton said.
The next day, a woman questioned Orton’s remarks in a tweet regarding the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Black people are dying randy. Where's your anger for that,” the woman asked.
Orton responded in yet another tweet regarding the issue, claiming that the issue is not limited to a certain race.
“Americans are dying. Pigment of skin doesn't matter. American people matter,” Orton stated.
Orton then doubled down on his opinions on the ongoing protests when interviewed in a podcast on the radio show Heated Conversations on Houston's Sports Radio 610, hosted by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.
“I basically said that Americans are dying, no matter the color of their skin, Americans are dying. And I also said courage is what it takes to stand up and fight, not kneel or raise the fist during the National Anthem.”
Orton was crystal clear in expressing his opinion on Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the National Anthem. He went on to explain how he has nothing against Colin Kaepernick.
"The issues he's kneeling for, I respect that he is kneeling for those issues," Orton said to Booker T. "I just disagree with his way of showing that it's an issue to him. You hear a lot of people say 'he sat the bench, he's looking for attention', whether that's true or not. Listen he's got a voice he's in the public eye, that's what all those social media followers are for.
"I want to hear what the man has to say. And in the recent weeks he's talked about what his issue was, and again I respect those issues man this world is a scary place. People are dying. There's a lot of issues and everyone needs to unite together, as hard as that may seem Book, and talk about the issues. Kneeling when the National Anthem is played, when the Pledge Of Allegiance is played, I just disagree with the way that he did it. That's all."
A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed Colin Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49er quarterback and free agent, will be standing for the national anthem before games next season.
“Kaepernick no longer wants his method of protest to detract from the positive change that he believes has been created, sources told ESPN. He also believes the amount of national discussion on social inequality — as well as support from other athletes nationwide, including NFL and NBA players — affirmed the message he was trying to deliver,” Schefter said in March of 2017.
Though Kaepernick is still 100% behind the cause, his kneeling may have cost him his career.
“No GM will go near him ever again,” an anonymous NFL GM stated.
While Kaepernick’s actions and remarks may have placed a major dent in his career, Orton continues to play a huge role in the WWE. This coming April Orton will be headlining the biggest pay per view in the WWE, Wrestlemania, as he faces Bray Wyatt, his former companion, for the WWE championship.
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