National Anthem Research Paper

I Believe…
Just Stand Up
I believe that all professional athletes should stand for the national anthem. They should be required to do this out of respect for the men and women who sacrifice everything in order to protect them.
Professional athletes are given the opportunity to make millions of dollars to play a game, while people who serve in our country’s armed forces make less than $20,000 per year. Those people fight and die for the flag, so an athlete should stand for about two minutes to pay respect to the flag that represents the country they get rich in.
This was all started when Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, sat during the national anthem before a preseason game this season. He stated it was done because

he refused to stand for the anthem of a country that treats minorities, like himself, the way they do. This act quickly spread throughout the league and others players have begun to replicate his actions.
However, after media backlash he altered his act, and started kneeling instead. Many other athletes have been asked to share their opinion on the matter. One of them being Alejandro Villanueva, offensive lineman and fellow minority of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Villanueva is a minority, like Kaepernick, but also served in the U.S. military before trying to become a professional athlete. This is why the media targeted him and asked him to voice his opinion.
He said that he understood why Kaepernick was not standing, but thought that the execution of it was done very poorly. He believed that their were much better ways to get his point across. He noted that it disrespects his fellow servicemen, who fight and die in order to protect their country. He also said that there are many minorities who serve for the same purpose. Villanueva also mentioned that a servicemember had just been killed earlier this week in Afghanistan.
Alejandro Villanueva, a graduate of the United States Military, said that the first thing they were taught was to stand for the national anthem while singing every verse. Then why shouldn’t athletes like Colin Kaepernick stand for the national anthem? Due to the freedom this country offers, he cannot be forced to stand, but he should instead choose to stand out of respect. Athletes have an elevated voice in our society. They can find other ways to spread their opinion. I believe this and I am not alone. Just stand up.