It’s been a little over a week since Colin Kaepernick decided to protest the national anthem. His gesture has sparked remarks from fellow athletes who either sit or kneel in solidarity with the San Francisco 49ers QB, or those who don’t understand his stance at all.
Now, news of Kaepernick’s protest has traveled to the basketball world, where Golden State Warrior, Kevin Durant, revealed his opinion on the matter.
“I’m behind anyone who stands up for what they believe in. Colin Kaepernick is standing up for what he believes in,” he said per Mercy News. “That’s what makes our country so great, right? You have the luxury to do so. He was unapologetic about it and, in his defense, I don’t think he was trying to disrespect anyone. I think he was trying to get his point across. I’m all for anyone who wants to do that. As athletes, we have this huge platform. A lot of people are watching at all times. Sometimes it may not be what you do, they like. But if you feel like it’s gonna be impactful, that’s on you. I feel like everyone should stand up for what they believe.”
Durant’s teammate, Stephen Curry, also backed Kaepernick, stating, “I love that there’s freedom of speech and he can stand up for what he believes in. There’s going to be people that disagree with him and there’s going to be people that agree with him, which is what I think our country stands for, which hopefully will drive the conversation to bettering the equal rights and treatment of African Americans and people of color.”
A spotlight on athletes taking a stand against social and racial injustice has remained prominent in the everyday news cycle, primarily with New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony and his prompt to fellow pro-athletes “to step up and take charge.”
“We can’t worry about what endorsements we gonna lose or whose going to look at us crazy. I need your voices to be heard,” he said. “We can demand change. We just have to be willing to. THE TIME IS NOW. IM all in. Take Charge. Take Action. DEMAND CHANGE.”