The NFL season's kickoff is approaching and this year's preseason clashes have seen the trend of players taking a knee during the playing of the US anthem regain some momentum.
Robert Klemko has covered this issue for Sports Illustrated and he joined Off The Ball to bring us up to date on the anthem debate.
He told Joe Molloy that the treatment of 'The Star Spangled Banner' has become a focal point as racial tensions escalate. Heather Heyer was killed when a car ploughed into a group of counter-protesters in Charlottesville on Saturday as far Right groups including white supremacists and neo-Nazis congregated.
Robert said that the pre-match rituals took on a "greater meaning" after September the 11th:
"The festivities before the game with the giant unfurling of a giant flag and the singing of the anthem and the display of all the different branches of the military really took off after 9/11. When there was an emphasis on patriotism and supporting our armed forces."
He added that many of those who have taken a knee have said that the action is not intended to disrespect the US military, rather it is "trying to shine a light on systematic racism in the United States."
These pre-game formalities are funded by the US Dept. of Defense and act as a "recruitment tool," according to the journalist.
Robert believes that established players are more likely to take a knee, rather than players with lower profiles who are more disposable.
Colin Kaepernick, the QB who popularised this form of protest remains without a team, despite leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013.
Seattle Seahawk Michael Bennett was one of the players who protested over the weekend, he described his motivations:
"I’ve been thinking about sitting during the national anthem for a minute, especially after everything that’s been happening the last couple weeks. It’s just been so crazy right now, and I felt like the conversation wasn’t over. I felt like this needed to be a continuous thing that’s going on. I know it offends a lot of people, that’s why I kept it straightforward. I love America, I love hot dogs, I love everything about it.
"I thought about it right up to the beginning of the game, and finally decided not to stand because it just felt right," he wrote for Yahoo Sports.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
