#TakeAKnee

Overview

#TakeAKnee refers to a hashtag used regarding United States President Donald Trump's comments about controversial San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who infamously does not stand for the American National Anthem as a means of protest against racial inequality and police brutality. During a speech made in Alabama, Trump called Kaepernick a "son of a bitch" who should be "fired." Many NFL officials, players and fans rallied around Kaepernick by issuing statements about the President's comments and engaging in protest during games by taking a knee and/or locking arms during the national anthem, while others refused to leave the locker room during the song. Supporters of the president, however, said they would boycott the NFL over the controversy.

Backgound

On September 22nd, 2017, President Donald Trump delivered a speech in Huntsville, Alabama in support of Senator Luther Strange. During his speech, Trump made several comments in reference to San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, calling anyone who disrespects the American flag a "son of a bitch" who should be "fired."^[1]

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag," said Trump, "to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out. He’s fired. He’s fired!’"

Developments

Public Reaction

That evening, Colin Kaepernick's mother responded to a tweet about Trump's comments on Twitter. ^[5] "Guess that makes me a proud bitch!" she tweeted. The post (shown below) received more than 56,000 retweets and 180,000 likes in three days.

As the controversy gained steam online, two hashtags began online, #TakeAKnee and #BoycottNFL, for those in support of President Trump.

NASCAR owners threatened to fire drivers who took knees during the national anthem at NASCAR events.^[14]

On September 24th, Redditor ^[18] JakeTheSnake134 posted a picture of 97-year-old World War II veteran taking a knee in the /r/pics subreddit, saying that the man said, ""Those kids have every right to protest." Within 24 hours, the post (shown below) received more than 73,600 points (68% upvoted) and 5,000 comments.

NFL Response

On the morning of September 23rd, DeMaurice Smith, the Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, posted a response in support of Kaepernick on Twitter. "We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports," he captioned the post.

That day, NFL Commissioner responded as well in a statement.^[7] He said:

"The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture. There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we've experienced over the last month. Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities."

That day, Trump responded to Goodell's post. He tweeted,^[11] "Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country.Tell them to stand!" The post (shown below) received more than 39,000 retweets and 148,000 likes in two days.

Additionally, the owner of the New England Patriots Robert Kraft,^[8] who is friends with Donald Trump, made a statement as well.

"I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the president on Friday," he said. "I am proud to be associated with so many players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our communities. Their efforts, both on and off the field, help bring people together and make our community stronger."

NFL National Anthem Policy

On May 23rd, 2018, following a two-day meeting of the NFL's 32 owners, the NFL announced that they would no longer require players remain on the field for the National Anthem, stating that if players wish to protest the Anthem, they may remain in the locker-room for the duration of the song. Players on the field are required to stand. However, if they protest on the field, for example, by kneeling during the "Star Spangled Banner," the league reserves the right to punish teams for the actions of their players. According to the policy, a team will be fined if they do not stand while on the field. Additionally, teams may come up with their own disciplinary measures for the policies.

That day, the NFL's official Twitter^[48] account published a statement from the league owner Roger Goodell. The post (shown below) received more than 2,000 retweets, 4,500 likes and 6,000 comments.

The reaction to the policy change was mixed. The sports website The Ringer^[49] called the policy "anything but a compromise," stating that it gives "owners an avenue to punish those who kneel to protest racial injustice." An opinion piece on Fox News^[50] entitled "Finally, we get our NFL back," said, "Football is supposed to be a sport that brings all Americans together. Not a sport used by a few activists to make a political point."

Online, Twitter debated the change, as well. Twitter^[51] user @baseballcrank wrote, "Political protests by players on their own platforms are none of the NFL's business. But squelching anthem protests *on the field during a league-sanctioned activity* is the NFL's business for the same reason baseball punished Yuli Gurriel for in-game, on-camera gestures." The post (shown below, left) received more than 30 retweets and 90 likes in two days.

SportsNet Anchor Taylor Rooks tweeted,^[53] "The new anthem policy states that players "shall stand and show respect for the flag and anthem." Issue with this: it implies that those that kneeled weren't respecting the flag. Furthering the false idea that the protests were about the flag. The protests are about injustice." The post (shown below, center) received more than 4,800 retweets and 9,500 likes in two days.

The NFL Players Association, the player's union, tweeted^[59] a statement, saying that they would be challenging "any aspect that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. The tweet (shown below, right) received more than 6,300 retweets and 15,000 likes in two days.

The following day, ESPN^[54] reported that the policy was adopted without a formal vote. According to ESPN, Tthe league called for a show of owners' hands to test support of the new policy -- an unofficial process that is often used."

Several team owners had negative reactions to the news, as well. 49ers owner Jed York abstained from the vote due to the lack of player involvement in the policy. Christopher Johnson, co-owner and chairman of the Jets, said that he would personally pay any fines his players received for protesting the anthem.

Players Response

On September 24th, numerous players and teams responded to Trump's comments. During the national anthem, many locked arms in solidarity, kneeled or stayed in their lorckerrooms. Members of the Baltimore Raven, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots stood with their arms locked or kneeled during the National Anthem.

Members of the Ravens and Jaguars kneeled during the national anthem in response to Trump tweets including Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. pic.twitter.com/fGrfIoRtdz

— Jessie 🇰🇪 (@JMKTV) September 24, 2017

Other teams did not participate in the National Anthem, including the Seattle Seahawks and the Nashville Titans. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Steelers did not participate in the National Anthem that day. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told CBS:

"We’re not going to play politics. We’re football players, we’re football coaches. We’re not participating in the anthem today. Not to be disrespectful to the anthem, but to remove ourselves from this circumstance. People shouldn’t have to choose. If a guy wants to go about his normal business and participate in the anthem, he shouldn’t have to be forced to choose sides. If a guy feels the need to do something, he shouldn’t be separated from his teammate who chooses not to. So we’re not participating today."

After singing the National Anthem on September 24th, singer Rico Lavelle took a knee and raised on fist.

The National Anthem Singer in Detroit ended the song with a kneepic.twitter.com/RqZytPXakb

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 24, 2017

NFL National Anthem Policy

NFL players also reacted, mostly negatively, to the news of the policy. Carolina Panthers wide-receiver tweeted,^[52] "'Appropriate respect for flag and anthem' implies that guys were being disrespectful towards it. Which is an opinion. Most people who believe that ignore the responses from the players and more importantly why men chose to protest." Within 48 hours, the post (shown below, left) received more than 4,200 retweets and 14,000 likes.

Former 49ers player Marcus Lattimore tweeted,^[56] "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -MLK #ForeverMood." The post (shown below, center0 received more than 4,200 retweets and 11,000 likes in 24 hours.

Sports writer Robert Klemko tweeted,^[57] "What I'm hearing from players: Those who weren't planning demonstrations for next season are now back in the conversation, discussing ways to skirt to new rules 'just to spite the NFL.'" The post (shown below, right) received more than 1,900 retweets and 8,200 likes in 48 hours.

Seattle Seahawks player Doug Baldwin said of President Trump's comments, "He’s an idiot, plain and simple." Sports writer Gregg Bell tweeted a video of Baldwin making the comments (shown below), which received more than 2,100 retweets and 7,300 likes in 24 hours.

Doug Baldwin on President Trump’s comments today about NFL players: “He’s an idiot, plain and simple.” #Seahawks @thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/U7ws3bGLED

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) May 24, 2018

Donald Trump's Response

On September 23rd, President Trump began a series of tweets^[9][10] about the topic. That morning, he tweeted "If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!" The first tweet (shown below, left) received more than 46,000 retweets and 176,000 likes in two days. The second tweet (shown below, right) received more than 41,000 retweets and 155,000 likes in two days.

That weekend, as NFL players began protesting the president's statements, he continued to respond. On September 24th, he tweeted, "Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!" The post^[12] (shown below, left) received more than 25,000 retweets and 122,000 likes in one day. The next day, he tweeted, "Many people booed the players who kneeled yesterday (which was a small percentage of total). These are fans who demand respect for our Flag!" Within 24 hours, he received more than 13,000 retweets and 71,000 likes.

NFL National Anthem Policy

On May 24th, Fox News's^[55] Brian Kilmeade asked President Trump about the policy. He said, "You have to stand proudly for the National Anthem. You shouldn't be playing, you shouldn't be there. Maybe they shouldn't be in the country…the NFL owners did the right thing." The outlet published a video of the interview, which received more than 3,000 retweets and 11,000 likes.

"You have to stand proudly for the National Anthem. You shouldn't be playing, you shouldn't be there. Maybe they shouldn't be in the country…the NFL owners did the right thing" -President @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/bt36t4EX5u

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) May 24, 2018

Trump Disinvites the Eagles

On June 4th, 2018, President Trump disinvited the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles from the traditional White House visit amidst talk that roughly only ten of the 53 of the Eagles would attend the visit. In an e-mailed statement, Trump stated that the Eagles "disagreed with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for their national anthem," and that the scheduled event would then be a performance by military musical groups (shown below).

Trump then tweeted about the cancellation (shown below, left). In response, Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney praised the Eagles and said Trump's decision proved him "not a true patriot, but a fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size and afraid of the embarrassment of throwing a party to which no one wants to attend (shown below, right).

Online, fans and critics voiced their opinion about the President's decision. Many pointed out that Trump was, perhaps intentionally, conflating #TakeAKnee with the Eagles disinterest in attending, and several Twitter users pointed out that no Eagles kneeled during the anthem the previous season (shown below). The news and its responses were covered by Twitter Moments,^[60] CNN,^[61] and NPR.^[62]

Mike Pence's Colts Walkout

On October 8th, Vice President of the United States Mike Pence announced on Twitter^[19] that he would be attending a Colts game that day. Posting a picture of his wife Karen and himself to Twitter, he wrote, "Looking forward to cheering for our @Colts & honoring the great career of #18 Peyton Manning at @LucasOilStadium today. Go Colts!" The post (shown below) received more than 2,800 retweets and 13,000 likes in 48 hours.

Roughly two hours later, Pence tweeted that he had left the game because players did not stand for the national anthem. He said, "I left today's Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem." Within 48 hours, the tweet (shown below, left) received more than 48,000 retweets and 150,000 likes.

Later that day, people began to question the authenticity of the Vice President's walkout, calling it a "political stunt." The first thing people started sharing following his walkout was the picture that he initially posted, stating his excitement for the game. As some pointed out, the picture was actually from a 2014 tweet that Vice President Pence tweeted in regards to a different Colts game. On November 23rd, 2014, he tweeted^[20] the picture (shown below, left; 2017 photo shown on right) with the caption "Cheering on our colts w/FirstLadyIN as they kick off the 2nd half! Go #Colts, beat Jaguars! #JAXvsIND"

As the day continued, people lodged more criticism toward Pence, particularly following the President's tweet, which seemed to confirm some people's suspicions that this was a "political stunt." That morning, President Trump tweeted,^[21] "I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen." The tweet (shown below) received more than 27,000 retweets and 129,000 likes in less than two days.

After the president claimed to have asked Pence to leave the game if the players kneeled, news outlets began reporting that the entire outing seemed staged. CNN^[22] reported that "the pool of journalists accompanying the vice president was not allowed into the stadium and was asked to stay in their vans. They were told by a staffer that 'there may be an early departure from the game,' but were not given any further details." Other outlets reported that Pence's short attendance at the game cost American tax payers nearly $250,000.^[22]

The following day, the president continued to fuel speculation about the event being a public relations stunt, tweeting "The trip by @VP Pence was long planned. He is receiving great praise for leaving game after the players showed such disrespect for country!" The post (shown below) received more than 19,000 retweets and 100,000 likes in less than 24 hours.

Papa John's "The NFL Hurt Us" Statement

On November 1st, Papa John's founder and CEO John Schnatter claimed that controversy surrounding the National Anthem had hurt sales, which were down from the previous year.^[37] "The NFL has hurt us," he said. "We are disappointed the NFL and its leadership did not resolve this." The pizza company is the official one of the NFL and has a deal with the league and 23 teams. However, they claim to have taken some NFL-related advertising off the air.

"We expect it to persist unless a solution is put in place," said Papa John's President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Ritchie.

The following day, Pizza Hut, who has no affiliation with he NFL, reported a 1% sales growth in the past year.^[38] Yum Brands CEO, the owner of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC, commented, "We're not seeing any impact from any of that.^[39]

Online, people interpretted Creed's comment as "throwing shade" or insulting Papa John's (examples below). That day, Twitter^[40] published a Moments page regarding the comments.

Later that day, the frozen pizza company DiGorno Pizza also posted a series of tweets that were seemingly aimed at Papa John's. The first tweet^[41] (shown below, left) read, "Us: 🍕📈 / Them: 🍕📉" and received more than 15,000 retweets and 53,000 likes in 24 hours. DiGorno replied to this tweet with a parody of Papa John's slogan that read, "Better Pizza. Better Sales." The tweet (shown below, center) received more than 8,000 retweets and 25,000 likes in 24 hours. Finally, DiGorno tweeted,^[43] "Update: 📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉📉" The final tweet (shown below, right) received more than 2,600 retweets and 11,000 likes in 24 hours.

That day, Twitter^[44] published another Moments page about DiGorno Pizza's tweets, receiving more than 1,400 likes in 24 hours.

Media Coverage

Shortly after the speech, virtually all the news media began reporting on the president's comments, including The Washington Post,^[2] Sports Illustrated,^[3] CBS,^[4] The New York Times^[6] and more.

In the days and weeks following the speech, in-depth opinion and explanatory editorials began appearing in news media worldwide, including CTV News (Canada),^[24] Mamamia (Australia),^[25] ESPN Australia,^[26] Eyewitness News (South Africa),^[27] The Independent (UK),^[28] People Magazine,^[29] NPR,^[30] The Fresno Bee,^[31] The Christian Post,^[32] BUCSwire USA Today,^[33] Not All There Is (Iceland),^[34] Mashable,^[35] and even Congressman Ted Lieu of California wrote an opinion piece on the topic.^[36]

Over the weekend, Twitter published several Moments^[15][16][17] pages about the response to the protests.

Related Memes

"Take a Knee, My Ass (I Won't Take a Knee)"

On November 17th, 2017, country singer Neil McCoy uploaded a song in counter-protest of the #TakeAKnee protests called "Take a Knee, My Ass (I Won't Take a Knee)." The track gained over 1.9 million views (shown below).

Twitter users were quick to mock the title of the song. Some suggested the grammar made it sound as though McCoy were addressing his own ass (examples shown below).

Additionally, Twitter users mocked the title by turning it into a snowclone by inserting various other texts into the title's format. The jokes were covered by Huffington Post,^[45] Mashable,^[46] and AV Club.^[47]

Search Interest

External References