During a series of national anthem protests and other team-organized actions during the NFL’s opening weekend, it was the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers who made the strongest statement in the league.
The national anthem has become one of the most watched and discussed pre-game rituals this season after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick chose to remain seated in the preseason to raise awareness for the systemic racism and social injustice in America.
Kaepernick’s protest was met with a volatile reaction, because many people were focusing on his action rather than his message.
However, it has created a national discussion, and others have begun speaking out on the issues.
Throughout Week 1 of the 2016-17 NFL season, we saw players joining Kaepernick by kneeling for the anthem. Others raised their fists while the Star Spangled Banner was played to show their support of oppressed communities.
Still, some were irked by the perceived lack of respect.
That is why the Steelers and Redskins made the most powerful statement of all on Monday night. Unlike teams like the Seattle Seahawks or Kansas City Chiefs who locked arms for a sign of “unity” that really didn’t accomplish anything since it added nothing to the conversation and created no additional dialogue, the Steelers and Redskins came away from the bench area to stand on the sideline and actively participate in the anthem ceremony.
Not only did the players stand together, they each grabbed on to a piece of the flag. Every member of the team, coaching staff and training staff came together and truly showed that they are one. After all, this is supposed to be one nation, indivisible.
The Redskins help hold the American flag during the national anthem: pic.twitter.com/KwSAxboQWY
— Matt Estreich (@MattEstreich) September 12, 2016
Classy Redskins and Steelers show Gracious Respect fo our Military during tonight's National Anthem. https://t.co/XQlDU5148J
— de Beauvoir (@ObamaNewClothes) September 13, 2016
That is what coming together is all about.
Kaepernick’s message was not wrong. In fact, he made very real points and created an honest dialogue that has forced people to explore feelings and topics that make them uncomfortable. That is the point of a protest and that is what it takes to create momentum for real change.
Unfortunately, the method of his protest has led to many ignoring his true point.
But thankfully, at a time when the racial divide seems to be growing in America, the Steelers and Redskins reminded us that we can all have our own beliefs and our own opinions on how fairly people are treated in the country, but we can never completely move forward until we all come together and work as one.
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