WON’T STAND FOR INJUSTICE
Kaep’s refusal to rise for anthem denounced by Cruz, Pugh
VICTOR CRUZ and Justin Pugh, two of the Giants’ most prominent players, were able on Saturday to appreciate Colin Kaepernick’s right to free speech while simultaneously disagreeing with the 49ers quarterback’s decision to not stand for the national anthem on Friday night. “Regardless of how you feel about the things that are going on in America today and the things that are going on across the world with gun violence and things of that nature, you’ve got to respect the flag,” Cruz said. “And you’ve got to stand up with your teammates. It’s bigger than just you, in my opinion. I think you go up there, you’re with a team and you go and you pledge your allegiance to the flag and you sing the national anthem with your team. And then you go about your business, whatever your beliefs are. “On a personal standpoint, I think you have to stand up with your team, and understand that this game and what’s going on around the country is bigger than just you.” Pugh,
whose brother is in the military stationed currently at McGuire Air Force Base, tweeted on Saturday in protest: “I will be STANDING during the National Anthem Tonight. Thank you to ALL (Gender, Race, Religion) that put your lives on the line for that flag.”
Pugh clarified, writing, “I’ve never walked in his shoes either so I don’t know what he goes through.” But Kaepernick’s decision not to stand, and his exclusive comments to Steve Wyche of NFL Media, created a stir in the sports world.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said in the interview. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Every Giants and Jets player stood for Saturday night’s anthem at MetLife Stadium. Pugh confirmed the Giants strongly stress respect for the flag.
“It’s something that we emphasize and making sure all the players have their feet in the white (lines on the sidelines) and everyone’s facing forward,” Pugh said of the organizational emphasis. “It’s our way of paying homage and it’s something that’s important to me … That’s my opinion and I appreciate (Kaepernick) has an opinion, too.”
The issue is personal to Pugh, but it’s also important to him that the military isn’t overlooked as a critical element of the Stars and Stripes.
“It’s something that I feel strongly about and it’s something that my brother’s in the military so it’s something that I definitely know there’s people over(seas) putting their lives on the line, and that’s where I see the value in going out there and standing for the pledge,” Pugh said. “Obviously not everyone feels the same way as me, and that’s what this country’s all about. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion and he has his opinions so I’m not bashing him whatsoever.”
Cruz’s first response to Kaepernick’s stand, simply was: “Personally, the flag is the flag.”
“But Colin is his own man, he decided to sit down and sit out and that’s his prerogative,” He added.
Plenty of current and former athletes defended Kaepernick, whether or not they agreed with his stance.
“Kaep is using his platform & brand to make a compelling & polarizing point, which is his right, even if it’s met with ire! @idontagree,” ex-Giants running back Tiki Barber tweeted.
Former Jets lineman Damien Woody said Kaepernick’s stance “is what comes with a free society.” “Kaep has every right to express his feelings/beliefs and ppl have every right to disagree,” Woody tweeted. “That’s ok folks!”
Dolphins running back Arian Foster supported Kaepernick, as well.
“The flag represents freedom,” Foster wrote. “The freedom to choose to stand or not. That’s what makes this country beautiful. You can’t be selective and dictate what freedoms this country stands for. You’re free to have any religious/political views you feel.”
Two-time Winter Olympian John Daly from Queens, on the other hand, didn’t pull any punches and wrote directly to Kaepernick on Twitter: “You’re an idiot @Kaepernick7.” Daly competed in the skeleton in both Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher, in the second episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks that originally aired Aug. 17, spent significant time in a team meeting explaining what’s expected of players when the Anthem is played.
“This is important to me. It’s a respect thing, ok?” Fisher tells his team. “It’s a self-respect thing. It’s a respect for your teammates. It’s a respect for this game. It’s a respect for this country. This is important to us. This is what it looks like. Go ahead.”
That cues 10 seconds of silence as a Rams assistant rolls video of the last season’s St. Louis Rams sideline, with the players standing still and upright in a straight line. Fisher explains the “organizational philosophy.” On the Rams’ sideline, the defense stands on the left, the offense stands on the right, and players with helmets must tuck the helmets under their left arms.
“It’s an opportunity to realize how lucky you are and what you’re doing, what you’re about ready to do,” Fisher says. “That’s how you show your opponent that you’re ready to play. That’s how you start a game.”