Going to Respond to you Mack because you ask some questions that actually have answers.
MackStrongIsMyHero wrote: I do question is timing and motive, and I also disagree with his blanket approach.
Why has he waited until now? He wasn't taking this stand when he entered the limelight as the league's next big thing; he was at the top of his game in 2012 and 2013 and not a word out of him about any of this. The injustices he is protested were just as prevalent then as now, which leads me to motive. He's quickly turning into a has-been that can't even come close the success of just a few years ago. This feels like a last gasp for PR before he's done, and it makes it very hard to take his new-found concern for the struggle of black America (perhaps he's always had it, but he never attempted to bring it to light until now).
This is a popular way to explain this away. But I think if you do some research you'll find this does not appear to be a publicity thing. First... Kaepernick was at his absolute height of his powers during the 2012 season when he was 24 years old fresh out of college. Even though these issues have been complaints for decades. The BLM movement didn't start to become a national movement until 2014. It's 2016 now and he's 28 the typical age when men really start to mature and come into their own. It makes perfect sense that he would be more interested in social issues now then he was when he first came into the league. Furthermore, if you look at his twitter timeline and compare 4 years ago to the last year or so there is a stark difference. 4 years ago he was oiling up his body and being a self absorbed bro. Over the last year or so almost everything he's tweeted has been about social an political issues. Kaepernick has grown up. Maybe not in the way that some people would have liked him to but the evidence doesn't appear to be something he just came up with to get publicity. Also the idea that if you haven't always been a champion for the cause then you can never be champion for a cause is problematic. Most people were against gay marriage as recently as 8 years ago. People learn and they evolve. Also Kaepernick didn't go out of his way to make this a spectacle. He sat for three games. It was only noticed in the third. And he didn't say anything about it until a reporter asked him about it.
And to protest the entire country? Not making much sense to me there. This country is one of, if not the most, free countries on Earth, but racist and prejudicial people exist and will continue to exist regardless of what country you live. I don't live this way and neither do millions of others in this country.
Regarding the issue he has problems with you can point to examples of the problem in Seattle, San Francisco, LA, New York, Texas, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Miami, Alabama, Baltimore, Chicago. It's happening all over the country and the country isn't doing anything about it. And even if it's one of the most free countries in the world does that mean he shouldn't protest to make it freer?
His spotlight is fading. Will he stick to this when the light is completely gone? Even without a job in the NFL, he'll still have more wealth than the vast majority of citizens in this country, so he has resources to work for the change he seeks. Or will he stick to it if he revives his career and returns to 2012/2013 form and has much more to lose? He's stated he has plans for further action. It will be interesting to see if and how he follows through.
Which is exactly why he has more to lose. You're thinking about this in the wrong way. If he made good on Ron Jaworski's ridiculous prediction and became one of the greatest QBs ever he could get away with this much easier. Right now he's making it really easy for the 49ers to release him and really hard for another team to justify picking him up. This could effectively end his career.
Here is the problem I have with this and all the people criticizing him. Most of them are hypocrites. At any given sporting event where the national anthem is played, there are literally thousands of people in the stands talking, playing on their phones, standing in line for snacks, using that as an opportunity to go to the bathroom. No one ever has a problem with it. At least Kaepernick has a reason (whether you agree or not).
We claim that in America people should stand up on principle and fight for what they believe in, especially those who are in a position financially. Now a guy does it and everyone rips him because they don't agree with why he does it. There is a member of this forum who couldn't stop praising the Bundy's and other militia men who took up arms, seized a federal park and engaged in an armed standoff with the Federal Government. If that's not treason, it's as close to treason as you can get and that member of this forum praised them for fighting for their rights under the constitution. Now that same person is ripping Colin Kaepernick for not standing for the Anthem.
Back in 2012, we all compared Russell Wilson to Colin Kaepernick. We said He's no where near Wilson. Wilson is involved with the community. He cares about things. All Colin cares about is looking cool and making money. Now he cares about something and is trying to do something about it but people want him to shut up because they don't agree with what he cares about.
You may not like what he did. But this is nothing different than when Ali refused to be drafted. Nothing different than when John Carlos and Tommie Smith put on a black glove and raised their fist at the 68 Olympics. People said all the same things (and worse) that they are saying about Kaepernick now. Ali was sent to prison. John Carlos and Tommie Smith were stripped of their medals and ostracized from society. Because those people in the 60's felt the same way that people feel now, "Racism isn't a problem". Vietnam Vets burned the flag en masse to protest a flag burning amendment, because that's not what they fought for. We look back and we say, "now THOSE were great Americans, but Kaep is a punk.". And they do it with no sense of irony.