When football and politics collide: An analysis of the responses to NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem
Abstract
A new kind of protest started during a professional football game and has spread throughout the NFL and even into other sports. Kneeling during the National Anthem has created a discussion of racial inequality in the United States, and it started with one quarterback: Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick's actions sparked many other athletes to follow in his protest, and this topic has become one of the most talked about in 2017. This case study analyzes the reactions to NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem and how their actions affected the NFL's reputation and conversations in the United States.