No Section
Colin Kaepernick's Protest To Be Front And Center After QB Named 49ers Starter
The 49ers yesterday announced that QB Colin Kaepernick would start Sunday's game against the Bills, and his "much-publicized bid to light a fire under a national discussion about social equality and societal justice" now comes "even more sharply into focus," according to Martin Rogers of USA TODAY. It is "one thing taking a stand, or a knee in this case, as a backup." It is "quite another to do so as one of only 32 men handed the steering wheel of an NFL franchise and its fan base's hopes and dreams each weekend." As a QB, there are "more eyes, more cameras, more scrutiny, and a direct line to the American public every Sunday." Kaepernick's message "suddenly got louder -- because he has a higher platform to shout it from" ( <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/martin-rogers/2016/10/11/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-starting-quarterback-national-anthem-protest/91902254/" target="_blank">USA TODAY, 10/12</a> ). In N.Y., Ebenezer Samuel writes Kaepernick, who was "never going to be silenced, may find ways to amplify his voice even more" ( <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/kaepernick-proves-isn-distraction-named-starter-article-1.2827296" target="_blank">N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/12</a> ). ESPN's Ed Werder said, "He doesn't just go away anymore now, like he used to as the backup. Now he's on the field every play." ESPN's Tim Hasselbeck: "It's one thing that he kneels for the Anthem and then he's not playing. Everyone kind of forgets about him until he's looking at the tablet on the sideline" ( "NFL Live," ESPN, 10/11 ). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said, "This is the biggest deal of the year in the NFL" ( "PTI," ESPN, 10/11 ). USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes Kaepernick is the NFL's "most polarizing player," a "leader or a pariah, depending on one's worldview." Now that he is starting again, Kaepernick is "really free to speak his mind." Bell: "Here we are at the intersection of sport and sociology" ( <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/bell/2016/10/11/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-social-platform/91919994/" target="_blank">USA TODAY, 10/12</a> ).
