Staff Reports
It's become a disturbing trend: athletes kneeling during the National Anthem as a form of protest. While freedom of expression is a cornerstone of American values, there's a time and place for everything, and the playing field is not it. No athlete who disrespects our flag and anthem should have the honor of representing the United States in any capacity. It’s high time we put patriotism and respect back into sports.
When athletes kneel during the anthem, they're sending a message that they do not respect the country that affords them the freedom to play the sport they love. This act of protest, often misinterpreted as a stance against systemic injustices, undermines the unity and pride that the National Anthem represents. How can we trust these individuals to represent us on the world stage when they can't even stand for the symbols of our nation?
Representing the United States is a privilege, not a right. Athletes chosen to wear the red, white, and blue should exemplify the best of America: dedication, hard work, and patriotism. Kneeling during the anthem is a blatant display of disdain for the very nation they are supposed to represent. It’s a slap in the face to the men and women who have fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy.
The argument that kneeling is a form of peaceful protest falls flat when considering the disrespect it shows to our veterans and active military personnel. These brave individuals stand and salute the flag, sometimes with tears in their eyes, honoring the sacrifices made to keep our nation free. When athletes kneel, they’re not just making a statement—they're disrespecting the service and sacrifice of millions of Americans.
Moreover, this trend sets a dangerous precedent for younger generations. If we allow athletes to disrespect the anthem without consequence, what message are we sending to our children? That it's acceptable to show contempt for your country if you disagree with something? We should be teaching our youth that there are appropriate ways to express dissent, and disrespecting national symbols is not one of them.
