NFL 2016/17

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RDCR07 said:
Carson Palmer is too much of a liability for them to win it. He makes silly mistakes from time to time. Not consistent enough. Their running game (Johnson), their WRs (Fitz, Floyd & Brown) and their defense (Patterson and Mathieu) is solid.
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Patterson?!

Agree on Palmer. I can't put my finger on why but unlike most of the other top QBs I have a lingering doubt or lack of belief he can perform when it matters.
 
adexkola said:
I love Alex Smith but having him at QB caps your offensive play to a 10/11 win ceiling IMO. There'll be games where he'll need to be, um, un-Alex Smith, in order for you guys to be in with a chance of winning. I agree you're in with a better chance of winning the division. In January that may not be enough.
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I'm a Texans fan ;) and yeah, I guess you're right - he's an above decent QB but probably won't get you to a 13-3 record or similar. Their 10 or 11 game win streak last year was impressive though with an outstanding defense.

Shame about Bridgewater :( They'd better just give to NFC North to the Packers right now..
 
RDCR07 said:
Carson Palmer is too much of a liability for them to win it. He makes silly mistakes from time to time. Not consistent enough. Their running game (Johnson), their WRs (Fitz, Floyd & Brown) and their defense (Patterson and Mathieu) is solid.
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I disagree. I feel that he has been constantly forced into situations in big games that require him to play against his natural instinct i.e. forcing plays - needing points quick. Palmer, like all QBs, wants to be in control of the tempo - which is usually the case with the Cards since their defence has become one of the league's best. Younger QBs now are happy to play in a hurry up offence - they play no huddle a lot in college ball.

The Carolina game last year was a perfect example. The defence collapsed in the first quarter. Panthers scored 17 in 3 possessions. Palmer was staying in the pocket for way longer than he is used to, forcing long throws, leading to turnovers. The running game was going good with Johnson. I think they have a good chance this year if Larry shows the same heart all season. They would have won it this year if not for Mathieu going down imo.
 
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Watching the vids of the NFL Top 100 again makes you so so excited for the new season. One more week :drool:
 
unitedbhoy said:
I disagree. I feel that he has been constantly forced into situations in big games that require him to play against his natural instinct i.e. forcing plays - needing points quick. Palmer, like all QBs, wants to be in control of the tempo - which is usually the case with the Cards since their defence has become one of the league's best. Younger QBs now are happy to play in a hurry up offence - they play no huddle a lot in college ball.

The Carolina game last year was a perfect example. The defence collapsed in the first quarter. Panthers scored 17 in 3 possessions. Palmer was staying in the pocket for way longer than he is used to, forcing long throws, leading to turnovers. The running game was going good with Johnson. I think they have a good chance this year if Larry shows the same heart all season. They would have won it this year if not for Mathieu going down imo.
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If he can keep his interceptions down to single digits it will really help his team go far and also help my fantasy team.
 


The Vikings are oggling Sanchez.:(
 
Excellent, should free up some cap room and get us back one of the draft picks we conditionally gave up for him.
 
Apparently nobody will touch Kaep because of his sit down protest.
 
Earthquake said:
What are the other options? I've heard Kaepernick maybe?
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Glennon, Ponder, Cassell, Geno Smith, Kaepernick, McCarron and McCown.

The worst thing is that Kaepernick was close to be cut, now he is too expensive.
 
rpitroda said:
Real sad on Bridgewater.
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Heard more details about it. His teammates apparently we're getting nauseous at the sight of it. It's no standard ACL tear.

And by all accounts he is a great person off the field. It's just terrible. He's got a long path back...
 
Rado_N said:
Such a terrible idea as a form of protest.
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I disagree.

I read this on fb earlier and feel that this is on the numbers - it's written from a retired US Navy officer:

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. 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."

I've been away from the internet all day.

I came home from a family picnic on the Blackwater River to find my inbox, as usual, overflowing like a ripe Port-O-Pottie.

One of the first messages I read was about 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, quoted above, who last Friday night at the beginning of a preseason game suddenly decided to become the most hated man in America du jour by deliberately not standing for the National Anthem.

Yes, that's right, a football player didn't stand for the National Anthem.

As you know, this means Kaepernick is scum, a horrible human being, a likely member of ISIS, a Muslim terrorist, a black thug, a communist, a socialist (and not the cool share your weed Bernie Sanders kind of socialist but the Red Brigade kind of Socialist who sleeps under a poster of Chairman Mao), a radical, a Black Panther, and he probably has Fidel Castro's phone number in his contact favorites.

Yeah. Okay.

I answered the message and went on to the next one.

The next message was about Kaepernick. As was the next one. And the next one. And...

They all begin pretty much the same way: Jim, AS A VETERAN, what do you think about this? Well?

Let me answer all the messages at once
__________

AS A VETERAN, what do I think about Colin Kaepernick's decision to sit during the National Anthem?

As a veteran?

Very well, as a veteran then, this is what I believe:

The very first thing I learned in the military is this: Respect is a two-way street. If you want respect, true respect, sincere respect, then you have to GIVE IT.

If you want respect, you have to do the things necessary to earn it each and every single day. There are no short cuts and no exceptions.

Respect cannot be compelled.

Respect cannot be bought.

Respect cannot be inherited.

Respect cannot be demanded at the muzzle of a gun or by beating it into somebody or by shaming them into it. Can not. You might get what you think is respect, but it's not. It's only the appearance of respect. It's fear, it's groveling, it's not respect. Far, far too many people both in and out of the military, people who should emphatically know better, do not understand this simple fact: there is an enormous difference between fear and respect.

Respect has to be earned.

Respect. Has. To. Be. Earned.

Respect has to be earned every day, by every word, by every action.

It takes a lifetime of words and deeds to earn respect.

It takes only one careless word, one thoughtless action, to lose it.

You have to be worthy of respect. You have to live up to, or at least do your best to live up to, those high ideals -- the ones America supposedly embodies, that shining city on the hill, that exceptional nation we talk about, yes, that one. To earn respect you have to be fair. You have to have courage. You must embrace reason. You have to know when to hold the line and when to compromise. You have to take responsibility and hold yourself accountable. You have to keep your word. You have to give respect, true respect, to get it back.

There are no short cuts. None.

Now, any veteran worth the label should know that. If they don't, then likely they weren't much of a soldier to begin with and you can tell them I said so.

IF Kaepernick doesn't feel his country respects him enough for him to respect it in return, well, then you can't MAKE him respect it.

You can not make him respect it.

If you try to force a man to respect you, you'll only make him respect you less.

With threats, by violence, by shame, you can maybe compel Kaepernick to stand up and put his hand over his heart and force him to be quiet. You might.

But that's not respect.

It's only the illusion of respect.

You might force this man into the illusion of respect. You might. Would you be satisfied then? Would that make you happy? Would that make you respect your nation, the one which forced a man into the illusion of respect, a nation of little clockwork patriots all pretending satisfaction and respect? Is that what you want? If THAT's what matters to you, the illusion of respect, then you're not talking about freedom or liberty. You're not talking about the United States of America. Instead you're talking about every dictatorship from the Nazis to North Korea where people are lined up and MADE to salute with the muzzle of a gun pressed to the back of their necks.

That, that illusion of respect, is not why I wore a uniform.

That's not why I held up my right hand and swore the oath and put my life on the line for my country.

That, that illusion of respect, is not why I am a veteran.

Not so a man should be forced to show respect he doesn't feel.

That's called slavery and I have no respect for that at all.

If Americans want this man to respect America, then first they must respect him.

If America wants the world's respect, it must be worthy of respect.

America must be worthy of respect. Torture, rendition, indefinite detention, unarmed black men shot down in the street every day, poverty, inequality, voter suppression, racism, bigotry in every form, obstructionism, blind patriotism, NONE of those things are worthy of respect from anybody -- least of all an American.

But doesn't it also mean that if Kaepernick wants respect, he must give it first? Give it to America? Be worthy of respect himself? Stand up, shut up, and put his hand over his heart before Old Glory?

No. It doesn't.

Respect doesn't work that way.

Power flows from positive to negative. Electricity flows from greater potential to lesser.

The United States isn't a person, it's a vast construct, a framework of law and order and civilization designed to protect the weak from the ruthless and after more than two centuries of revision and refinement it exists to provide in equal measure for all of us the opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The United States is POWER.

All the power rests with America. Just as it does in the military chain of command. And like that chain of command, like the electrical circuit described above, respect must flow from greater to lesser FIRST before it can return.

To you the National Anthem means one thing, to Kaepernick it means something else. We are all shaped and defined by our experiences and we see the world through our own eyes. That's freedom. That's liberty. The right to believe differently. The right to protest as you will. The right to demand better. The right to believe your country can BE better, that it can live up to its sacred ideals, and the right to loudly note that it has NOT. The right to use your voice, your actions, to bring attention to the things you believe in. The right to want more for others, freedom, liberty, justice, equality, and RESPECT.

A true veteran might not agree with Colin Kaepernick, but a true veteran would fight to the death to protect his right to say what he believes.

You don't like what Kaepernick has to say? Then prove him wrong, BE the nation he can respect.

It's really just that simple.
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I saw it originally in this article:

http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/8/31/12725282/veteransforkaepernick-trending-twitter

Plus a few Twitter comments regarding the belief that all veterans are up in arms over his protest:

I don't agree with all of his points, but I'll fight to the death for his right to say it. #VeteransForKaepernick

I'm riding with 7...I fought for freedom not a song#VeteransForKaepernick

Because we demand our country protect all its citizens equally. THAT is what I defended! #VeteransForKaepernick

The Nat'l Anthem was no where in my Oath but supporting & defending the Constitution was.... #VeteransforKaepernick
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Also liked this article:

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/08/colin-kaepernick-black-lives-matter-veterans-anthem/

Veterans for Kaepernick

Former Army Ranger Rory Fanning on why he and so many other veterans stand with Colin Kaepernick and against police murder.


by Rory Fanning
colin.jpg


Last week San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem, saying “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color . . . There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Amid an uproar online and in the media, former Army Ranger Rory Fanning shared a photo of himself at Wrigley Field, refusing to standfor the national anthem as a show of support for Kaepernick’s act. Within two days the photo had been shared one hundred thousand times online. For a time #VeteransForKaepernick was the top trending hashtag on Twitter.

Fanning served two tours in Afghanistan with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, in the same unit as former NFL star Pat Tillman. In 2009 he walked across the country for the Pat Tillman Foundation. He is currently on an anti-recruitment tour of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), sponsored by the Chicago Teachers Union.

Jacobin contributor Jason Farbman spoke with Fanning about the outpouring of support for Kaepernick, the role of athlete protest, and the connections between sports and the military.

What made you decide to “sit with Kaepernick?”
Because he’s right. We know there’s no accountability for police when they murder African Americans at unprecedented rates. Just as the United States has been killing people around the world since 9/11 with impunity, the US state is also killing its own citizens (disproportionately black) with impunity here at home.

Last year 1,200 people were killed by police — zero of which resulted in convictions for murder or even manslaughter.

Personally, I have a difficult time standing for the nation anthem. I entered the military fully expecting to be fighting for the cause of freedom and democracy, and trusting that I would be making the world safer after 9/11.

But once in Afghanistan in January 2003, I quickly learned my job was to draw the Taliban back into the fight. The Taliban surrendered only a few months after the initial US invasion. This is to say nothing about the bait-and-switch invasion of Iraq.

Between 1980 and 2001, there were around three hundred suicide bombings around the world with only 10 percent directed at the United States or US interests. Since 2001 there’s been more than 2,500 suicide bombs with more than 90 percent directed at the United States and US interests.

So it’s not just my personal experience, the numbers alone show that the world is far more dangerous after fifteen years of endless American-led war. Since 9/11 we’ve also killed a million people, the vast majority civilians. We are killing brown people with impunity overseas, just like we are killing people of color with impunity here at home.

Then after returning from Afghanistan I saw how the security state had grown at home. I saw that the United States has the largest prison population in the history of the world, with African Americans (there are a lot of people of color in the military) being disproportionately incarcerated. Public schools are being gutted in every city. The media and politicians barely mention our endless trillion-dollar wars and drone operations.

One could add many more items to this list of reasons not to stand for the national anthem. Kaepernick chose one, which is incredibly important and on a lot of minds right now.

He is choosing not to lie to himself, the world, or all the people who thought they died to ensure we lived in a free country, by claiming this is “the land of the free” when it is not. This is the opposite of an insult to those who died thinking they were fighting for liberty.

And yet initial accounts in the mainstream media portrayed Kaepernick’s act as the self-indulgence of a petulant, spoiled athlete.
The thought that Kaepernick has nothing to lose is completely wrong. I just spent the last two years working with former Chicago Bulls player Craig Hodges on his memoir. Hodges used his position to fight for justice, leading an attempt to boycott Nike and another to demand President George W. Bush do more to address the needs of black people. Craig was blackballed by the NBA and lost everything as a result.

We saw the same thing happen to John Carlos after he stood with his fist raised in Mexico in 1968. As Carlos recounts in his autobiography, he too lost everything. So it’s actually a very courageous and risky thing Kaepernick is doing. This is to say nothing about all the threats he’s received.

I don’t want to see what happened to Hodges and Carlos happen to Kaepernick. This is a big reason why I sat during the national anthem during the Cubs game.

What was the response like at Wrigley Field?
Judging from what I saw online I didn’t imagine the response would be good. I prepared myself for beer to be thrown on me, that someone might try to pick a fight, or even that I might be kicked out of the stadium. But actually the response was quite different: next to no pushback from everyone else in the bleachers, all of whom were standing.

And online, there has been a rising tide of support for Kaepernick — particularly from active duty soldiers and veterans. Why?
Anyone who’s been to a sports event in this country, or seen one on television, knows full well the connection that is made between sports and military. From the national anthem to the jets flying overhead to the convenient trotting out soldiers to “thank them,” nationalism and “patriotism” is constantly forced down the throats of sports fans.

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Many soldiers thought they were going overseas to sacrifice for freedom and democracy. But they are not seeing those ideals being practiced in this country.

Kaepernick’s protest is resonating with soldiers who feel like they’ve been lied to. One thing that has come across clearly from so manysoldiers’ tweets and posts is that soldiers do not feel like they are risking their lives so the state can kill with impunity here in the United States.
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Speaking of the military, you’ve been touring Chicago public schools on an anti-recruitment tour sponsored by the Chicago Teachers Union. You’ve spoken with hundreds of students. What have you learned?
I’ve seen firsthand how public education is being privatized and destroyed. There are also next to no jobs available in the inner city of Chicago. And the military is taking advantage of this. CPS has more kids in the Junior ROTC program than in any other city.

50 percent of them are black, 45 percent Latino. Of Chicago’s ten thousand students in JROTC, up to 40 percent will actually join the military. If these kids stay in Chicago they face few job prospects and could be killed with impunity.

With no good options, they are cornered into joining the military where they risk be killed and are certainly being asked to kill brown people. We are not seeing the same sort of recruitment and JROTC kids in wealthier white suburbs.

Much like veterans, athletes have potential access to platforms from which to draw attention to important political issues that might get overlooked or get misrepresented in the mainstream media. With athletes, that platform is potentially enormous. What might it take to see more athletes speaking out for justice?
We know by now that there are lots of other professional athletes that have some ideas about the injustice in the world. When those athletes look at those who speak out — like Colin Kaepernick — what lessons do we want them to draw? That if you open your mouth and you say what’s right, that you’ll be attacked viciously and potentially lose everything you’ve worked your entire life for? If that’s the case we shouldn’t expect more athletes to stand up for what’s right; we should expect them to keep their mouths shut.

We want athletes to see that if they say what’s right, then they’ll be supported by masses of people. That it will do some good. And that’s why I went out to support him and I’ve been so excited to see such an outpouring of support — particularly from people in the military.
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swooshboy said:
I disagree.

I read this on fb earlier and feel that this is on the numbers - it's written from a retired US Navy officer:



I saw it originally in this article:

http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/8/31/12725282/veteransforkaepernick-trending-twitter

Plus a few Twitter comments regarding the belief that all veterans are up in arms over his protest:
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You misunderstand me, I don't disagree with his belief, or any of what you posted, but there was only ever going to be one reaction to it. He could have made his views public without alienating himself in the process is all I mean.
 
Rado_N said:
You misunderstand me, I don't disagree with his belief, or any of what you posted, but there was only ever going to be one reaction to it. He could have made his views public without alienating himself in the process is all I mean.
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Fair enough - I did figure you meant how he chose to protest.
 
Rado_N said:
You misunderstand me, I don't disagree with his belief, or any of what you posted, but there was only ever going to be one reaction to it. He could have made his views public without alienating himself in the process is all I mean.
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To his credit. He's got EVERYONE talking about it and that could help people open their eyes to the problems.

Like you though, I knew what the reaction was going to be like. For a nation that goes on about being the land of the free they're quick to shoot you down. No pun intended.
 
Trigg said:
To his credit. He's got EVERYONE talking about it and that could help people open their eyes to the problems.

Like you though, I knew what the reaction was going to be like. For a nation that goes on about being the land of the free they're quick to shoot you down. No pun intended.
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Yea he's certainly started a discussion, which is a good thing. It's a brave choice, mind, but entirely predicable how it would go down.
 
I have the feeling that a lot of people are shamelessly using the army to justify they pretend outrage. They are just trying their best to ignore the existing problem.
 
Trigg said:
To his credit. He's got EVERYONE talking about it and that could help people open their eyes to the problems.

Like you though, I knew what the reaction was going to be like. For a nation that goes on about being the land of the free they're quick to shoot you down. No pun intended.
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That's such a lame excuse tbf. There are far more constructive ways to go about it.

Not that I'm patriotic or anything, it's just a matter of principle not to insult your country...unless you are giving up citizenship. No country is perfect and there are always people who feel they are not getting a fair shake (genuine and otherwise). If gay rights or equality for women supporters or gun control (and vice versa) decide to sit out the anthem, where does it end? It's stupid to paint a country with the brush that applies only to select people.
 
Edgar Allan Pillow said:
That's such a lame excuse tbf. There are far more constructive ways to go about it.

Not that I'm patriotic or anything, it's just a matter of principle not to insult your country...unless you are giving up citizenship. No country is perfect and there are always people who feel they are not getting a fair shake (genuine and otherwise). If gay rights or equality for women supporters or gun control (and vice versa) decide to sit out the anthem, where does it end? It's stupid to paint a country with the brush that applies only to select people.
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It's not a select people; it's a multi-billion dollar industry that targets minorities with the blessing of the government due to a fruitless campaign that it started.

But to go into that would be way off topic...
 
Organic Potatoes said:
It's not a select people; it's a multi-billion dollar industry that targets minorities with the blessing of the government due to a fruitless campaign that it started.

But to go into that would be way off topic...
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Would you say a majority of americans are racist towards black people (say > 50% of entire population)? I don't see a point of the protest against the flag/anthem if not.
 
It's not about how many are racist. It's about the fact that he has a right to protest and a right to protest however he pleases within the bounds of the law.

Now, I must admit I think he made a bad move because I think there's more constructive ways to do what he did.

But notwithstanding that he has the right to do it. And whilst we all can have our opinions on whether we agree or disagree, some of the criticism has been overboard.

I mean, do any one of us really know what some black Americans go through on a daily basis? I certainly don't and maybe some of you do so I'd be very interested to know (although it's obviously way off topic)!
 
RDCR07 said:
100% of the people around the world are racist. Everyone is innately racist.
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You mean stereotypical. If that's what you mean (that everyone holds a judgement on someone based on their race) then I probably agree with you. Racism though is different right? It's about feeling you are superior than another race purely based on your skin colour, which in my opinion is completely different to making a judgement on someone based on race.
 
rpitroda said:
It's not about how many are racist. It's about the fact that he has a right to protest and a right to protest however he pleases within the bounds of the law.

Now, I must admit I think he made a bad move because I think there's more constructive ways to do what he did.

But notwithstanding that he has the right to do it. And whilst we all can have our opinions on whether we agree or disagree, some of the criticism has been overboard.

I mean, do any one of us really know what some black Americans go through on a daily basis? I certainly don't and maybe some of you do so I'd be very interested to know (although it's obviously way off topic)!
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Think that's an understatement. Some of the shit I've read goes beyond criticism to serious hate for the guy, including racist abuse.
 
Edgar Allan Pillow said:
Would you say a majority of americans are racist towards black people (say > 50% of entire population)? I don't see a point of the protest against the flag/anthem if not.
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Given the rapidly increasing Latino population and their view of black people from personal experience, and the South, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a majority.
 
If Kaepernick wants to get involved with what is a big issue like this good on him. I think top athletes really could make a difference with this sort of thing if they do it correctly.

However when I saw the socks he was wearing it just seems like he is immature. How is that helping anyone? Or him for that matter? Plenty of cynics will see him doing this for attention as he was on his way down and I don't think he's helping himself on that front.

Has he been doing more constructive things outside of the headlines?
 
I think he is handling it extremely well - this is a good article:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...rnick-reid-take-a-knee-during-national-anthem

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the singing of the national anthem before Thursday's preseason game in San Diego. He wasn't alone in his protest.

Safety Eric Reid knelt beside Kaepernick during the anthem in San Diego. In Oakland, meanwhile,Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sat on the bench during the playing of the anthem, according to the Associated Press. Kaepernick told NFL Network's Steve Wyche on Saturday that he was sitting during the anthem in protest of societal wrongdoings against African-Americans and minorities in the United States.

The Chargers crowd loudly booed the49ers when they came out on to the field, and once again every time Kaepernick took a snap under center. Kaepernick impressively directed a 15-play touchdown drive on the opening offensive series of the game.

Kaepernick only ran two more series in a quick-moving first half, leading the team to a field goal before halftime. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 103 yards in the 49ers' win, making a strong push to keep his roster spot as the team's backup.

While the former Super Bowl starter's status on this Chip Kelly team is fascinating in its own right, his protest during the national anthem will continue to drive national news. He spoke with remarkable clarity, ready to answer any question sent his way after the game. Kaepernick spoke of the support he received all week and believed that the protest brought the team together rather than being a distraction.

"I just wanted to show support for him," Reid told reporters. "To let him know that he's not the only person who feels the way he feels"

Nate Boyer, a 35-year-old who competed for a job on the Seattle Seahawks last offseason as a long snapper, stood beside Kaepernick during the anthem. Boyer wrote an open letter to Kaepernick on Wednesday expressing his viewpoints, and he told NFL Network's Alex Flanagan on Thursday that they each spoke at length before the game. Kaepernick indicated that Boyer helped him to come up with the plan to take a knee before the game rather than sit on the bench out of respect to the military. Kaepernick stood and clapped after the playing of "God Bless America" in the second half of the game.

"I love America," Kaepernick said.

The 49ers have supported Kaepernick's right to protest the anthem. The question entering this weekend of roster cuts: Will he still be on the 49ers roster when the anthem plays before their season opener?
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I think the fact that he reached out to Boyer, who had written an open letter to him earlier in the week is impressive, as is the fact that he was prepared to take on board advice and suggestions from him. This is an article on the letter:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-boyer-writes-open-letter-to-colin-kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick's decision to sit during the national anthem has drawn reaction from around the league and around the country. On Wednesday, Nate Boyer lent his opinion on the matter.

The 35-year-old veteran, who vied for a job with the Seattle Seahawks in 2015 following several years of service as a Green Beret in the U.S. Army, spoke to NFL Media's Lindsay Rhodes on Wednesday's edition of NFL Total Access on the subject of Kaepernick and how veterans and fellow Americans should view his actions:

"I would just listen. I would shut my mouth and just listen. There's just so much hate going on, and from both sides. No one wants to listen. Everyone just can't wait for their turn. It's getting old. I would 100 percent listen. I want to hear everything he's going through, he's struggling with. I'll never be to actually feel what it's actually like to be him, obviously. No one can feel that for anyone else.

"But at least if I just listen with an open mind, try my best to fight the judgments that are going on in my head because we all have those too, you might hear something that resonates with you."

"I'm not judging you for standing up for what you believe in. It's your inalienable right. What you are doing takes a lot of courage, and I'd be lying if I said I knew what it was like to walk around in your shoes. I've never had to deal with prejudice because of the color of my skin, and for me to say I can relate to what you've gone through is as ignorant as someone who's never been in a combat zone telling me they understand what it's like to go to war. ...

"I look forward to the day you're inspired to once again stand during our national anthem. I'll be standing right there next to you. Keep on trying. ... De Oppresso Liber."
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I think the idea to take a knee, rather than sit was a good one and I think it puts his protest in a better light.

It was also interesting that initially players were speaking out against him. Kap met with the team and explained his reasoning for his actions, and the players have subsequently said they understand what he is doing and support him. The fact that Eric Reid knelt with him as well is a positive sign. Kap was criticised over the past couple of seasons for not having the best relationship with his teammates - for being introverted and keeping himself to himself. I think this is a good step for him.
 
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