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Quarterback should have expected there would be a price to protest

With support continuing to build in the media for Colin Kaepernick, Christopher L. Gaspers column deftly illuminates the blind spot sports journalists have regarding the quarterbacks refusal to acknowledge the national anthem (Kaepernick saga cuts against the grain, Sports, July 23). Football fans expect professional athletes, especially overrated professional athletes, to focus fully on the task at hand. It irritates them that one would use a televised sporting event to display his displeasure with society. Worse for Kaepernick, he chose a forum for protest that pits him against a huge slice of the public least likely to sympathize with him.

Racial and social justice continues to be a significant problem in this country, as it does almost everywhere. However, it is jarring to see an NFL quarterback take a knee in protest before a game. I believe Kaepernick is now boxed in by his stance; he wants to play football, but he cant separate himself from his protest without looking foolish. Hes learning the hard way that there are consequences for millionaire professional athletes turning their backs to the flag.

Sean F. Flaherty

Charlestown

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Fairness and justice, like beauty, are often in the eyes of the beholder. In todays multibillion-dollar NFL, justice is what 32 wealthy business owners say it is, no matter how arbitrary this may appear to Globe sportswriter Christopher L. Gasper (Kaepernick saga cuts against the grain).

Gasper is a knowledgeable and respected football guy. However impassioned and reasonable his arguments on Kaepernicks behalf seem to be, he missed the point. No fair person would deny Kaepernicks civil rights to free speech or his personal political beliefs. Most football fans couldnt care less about his haircut or his political viewpoint. However, many see his act kneeling during the national anthem as disrespectful to our countrys flag and to those men and women who selflessly serve in the US military on behalf of all Americans.

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The 29-year-old is at a crossroad in his life play football for a living or be a political activist. Or maybe both, but not at the same time.

Girard J. Fortin

Burlington

There is no question that Colin Kaepernick is not being hired because of his demonstrations against the national anthem. Football statistics are a nonfactor. However, what Christopher L. Gasper apparently doesnt grasp is that Kaepernick was making his protest at the same time he was being paid to do his job.

If I were disrupting my employers business with my social protests during working hours, or if Gasper were disrupting his, I am sure we would both find our employability status greatly affected as well. There is a time and place for social commentary, and during working hours isnt one of them.

Richard Swenson

Wareham

Link:
The pocket closes around Kaepernick - The Boston Globe