Kaepernick Throws Into Double Coverage

Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand for the playing of the national anthem before games. Why? He said, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."

He continued, "There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Now the story has evolved to the point where we are deconstructing The Star Spangled Banner. Joy Reed tweeted,

Wow. Every American should watch and learn this history of the Star Spangled Banner, and it's troubling 3rd stanza. https://t.co/GSAF0d3OL8

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) August 28, 2016

I would bet anything that Kaepernick, like about 99% of Americans, is unaware of the third stanza of The Star Spangled Banner. Because they never play that part of the song.

Now we are even deconstructing the composer of The Star Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key. He was a slaveholder or traded in slaves or raped female slaves or something. Hated blacks. This is a perfect example of current year thinking.

There isn't a better example of comparing the acts of the past by today's standards than looking at a two-hundred-year old song.

But you could play a Maya Angelou poem before games and Kaepernick still would have a problem with standing. That's why retconning the song and the composer is missing the point.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag."

Fine. Don't stand. That is your right under the constitution, and you are free to express yourself in that way. I wonder if he will be struck by the irony of this.

The reason you put on a uniform is to present a standard, unified front to your fans and the opposition. Will he face anything stronger than censure? I would suspend him.

If Kaepernick does make his way into the lineup and somehow beat out Blaine Gabbert for the job, he will be greeted by thunderous applause from the home crowd. Some of that is just supporting their guy. But some of it will be because the effete liberals in the stands in Santa Clara AGREE WITH HIM.

I hope North Korea's first target is a sold-out Niners game.