Kaepernick Story has Taken the Nation by Storm

The Colin Kaepernick story has taken the nation by storm.
The 49ers quarterback refused to stand for the national anthem at Saturday’s pre-season game stating afterwards he was protesting what he called the oppressing of black people and police who he says are getting away with murder.

So much has been written, so many opinions have been expressed.

Here are my thoughts. Kaepernick is free to do what he did and say what he said.
The NFL doesn’t “require” its players to stand for the anthem.

On the purely football side of it, it could damage Kaepernick’s future in the league. As it is, he is fighting an uphill climb to stick with the 49ers. He probably is not concerned with the reaction, pro and con, of what fellow players, other teams and outsiders think.

I have always felt that the flag represents a country that has serious issues and problems that touch every nation on earth.

It also has given its people the right to speak their mind without fear of consequence.

It has given them the kind of freedom that allows them to play a game they presumably love from their childhood to their adult years and can earn over 11 million dollars doing it.

It’s the kind of freedom enjoyed by millions who can thank the multitude of servicemen who have fought for, and given their lives over centuries to protect our freedom.

I think Colin Kaepernick should do two things.
Use a big chunk of his riches to help the causes and ease the problems he cites.
He should find out how this kind of contribution can lead to a better understanding between people. Make things better even if money is not the answer. Be a presence and be active.

The second thing he should do is thank those who have gone before him to make it possible to live in a country that has ALLOWED him to play a game, make huge sums of money, and protest in the manner he did.