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Same Violence, Different Uniform: On Kaepernick Taking a Knee to Support US Military

When I first saw San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick take a knee—joined by free safety Eric Reid—during the singing of “The Star-Bangled Banner” before their game against the San Diego Chargers Thursday night, I threw up a mental black power fist. I did so because I believed it to be a show of solemn respect for…

By

Kirsten West Savali

Published

September 2, 2016
Politics

Colin Kaepernick and America's Black Hype Men

On Friday, Colin Kaepernick took a stand by taking a seat. He said enough with black death and quietly sat as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played. When asked after the game about his stance, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback eloquently explained: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a…

By

Stephen A. Crockett Jr.

Published

August 31, 2016
Jerry Rice on Colin Kaepernick: 'All Lives Matter; Don't Disrespect the Flag'

NFL Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49er Jerry Rice wants everyone to know that “All lives matter,” and he’s urging Colin Kaepernick to stand up like a good Negro and pledge allegiance to the flag before he causes trouble on the plantation. All lives matter. So much going on in this world today.Can we…

By

Kirsten West Savali

Published

August 29, 2016
Jackie Robinson in 1972: 'I Cannot Stand and Sing the Anthem; I Cannot Salute the Flag'

Jackie Robinson, in his 1972 autobiography, I Never Had It Made, described the moment when he realized that he could not “stand and sing the anthem,” nor “salute the flag,” which calls to mind recent statements made by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Robinson strongly indicted this nation on charges of racism, classism and bigotry: There I was, the black grandson…

By

Kirsten West Savali

Published

August 29, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

Colin Kaepernick Isn't Too Rich To Protest. This Is America, Remember? We Only Listen To Rich People.

Last week, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick became the first athlete in a major America team sport since Mahmoud Abdul Rauf to protest the National Anthem by refusing to stand for it. Kaepernick’s rationale has been that he can’t honor a flag that represents a country that oppresses people of color; Black people particularly.…

By

Damon Young

Published

August 29, 2016
News

SF Fans Burn Kaepernick’s Jersey In Protest of His Stance; Some Players Criticize Him

Editor’s note: This post contains tweets that some may find offensive. As we might have expected, some fans were not happy with the action San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick took by not standing during a preseason game against Green Bay on Friday. Kaepernick was not doing a Gabby Douglas where he was just not thinking about…

By

The Root Staff

Published

August 28, 2016
ESPN Host John Saunders Dead at Age 61

Beloved ESPN host John Saunders has died at the age of 61, ESPN reports. Saunders covered college football, basketball and the NHL for the network and was the anchor of SportsCenter and The Sports Reporters. Saunders, who was born in Canada, was an all-star defenseman in the junior hockey leagues of Montreal and also played at Western…

By

Breanna Edwards

Published

August 10, 2016
Tony Dungy, 1st African-American Head Coach to Win a Super Bowl, Pays Homage to Those Before Him

On Saturday night, Tony Dungy, the first African-American head coach to win an NFL championship, gave a rousing Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech, acknowledging that he didn’t get there on his own, and paying homage to 10 other coaches who came before him and made his path possible, ESPN reports. “Willie Brown, Buck Buchanan, Earnel Durden, Bob…

By

Breanna Edwards

Published

August 8, 2016
Former Colts Running Back Zurlon Tipton Dies After Accidentally Shooting Himself

Former Indianapolis Colts running back Zurlon Tipton died Tuesday after accidentally shooting himself at a car dealership in Detroit, ESPN reports. The 26-year-old was reportedly handling a duffel bag when a gun inside the bag fired as he dropped off his car to be looked at, police said. “Zurlon was a dude you rooted for—an…

By

Breanna Edwards

Published

June 29, 2016
Co-Defendant of Aaron Hernandez Takes Plea Deal in 2013 Death of Odin Lloyd

A co-defendant of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez took a plea deal for his part in the 2013 death of Odin Lloyd and was sentenced Monday, CNN reports. Carlos Ortiz, 30, changed his not guilty plea and pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact for helping Hernandez after the fatal 2013 shooting. In…

By

Breanna Edwards

Published

June 28, 2016