National Basketball Association

Will Any Philadelphia 76ers Make Kaepernick-like Stands?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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We may see more professional athletes start to take stands similar to Colin Kaepernick. Could any Philadelphia 76ers use their voice this season?

Colin Kaepernick will bring more attention to the San Fransisco 49ers final preseason game than any other preseason game has gotten all season. The talk of the sports world (and even outside of the sports world) lately is regarding Colin Kaepernick and the stand (or sit, rather) that he made during the national anthem of their last game.

Kaepernick chose to sit during the national anthem, as a symbol of his displeasure for the way groups of people (African Americans, especially) are oppressed in the United States of America. Many people looked at this as a disrespectful action to those who have risked their lives to protect the country.

This is a very divisive subject. Some believe that Kaepernick is exercising the very right that the veterans fought for, and some argue that it’s just downright wrong for him to sit. Others are calling it a publicity stunt for the quarterback that looks as if he’s at risk of losing his job.

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Regardless of what you think of his actions, it’s evident that athletes have a voice, and this situation is truly proving that. We may see other pro athletes using their voice in light of the Kaepernick situation.

We already saw Philadelphia Eagles rookie Myke Tavarres say he was going to sit out the national anthem with Kaepernick, only to change his mind later.

It brings up the thought — could any of the Philadelphia 76ers decide to take a similar stand this season?

I don’t foresee any of the Sixers sitting for the national anthem, just because of how much drama that has brought up in the NFL world. I could, however, see the team do something like writing slogans on sneakers, or wearing “Black Lives Matter” t-shirts like some NBA teams have done in the past.

The bottom line is that, just like us “normal” human beings, pro athletes have their opinions and stances on meaningful things that happen in the NFL. And if something impacts them enough, they’re going to want to speak out about it, just like we do. The difference is that they have a much louder voice than most of us.

As we go into this season, if any Sixers do have social movements they look to push during, before, or after games, I hope they can do it with class, and I hope the fans can look to see what they’re trying to push, rather than the action they are taking, like in Kaepernick’s situation.

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