TOPLINE
Major League Baseball tweeted full-fledged support of the decision by San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler and several Giants players to kneel during the national anthem prior to Monday's game in Oakland, one of the first MLB exhibition games played this season.
San Francisco Giants' manager Gabe Kapler kneels during the national anthem prior to an exhibition ... [+]
KEY FACTS
Kapler is believed to be the first manager or head coach in any of the four major North American pro sports leagues to protest by kneeling during the playing of the anthem.
He said he informed his players and staff of his intentions before the contest, and vowed he would support whatever decision each individual made.
"I wanted them to know that I wasn't pleased with the way our country has handled police brutality," Kapler said after Monday's game. "I told them that I wanted to amplify their voices, and I wanted to amplify the voice of the black community and marginalized communities as well."
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Keynan Middleton took a knee and raised a fist during the anthem prior to Monday's exhibition game in San Diego.
MLB's official account tweeted a video of the Giants players kneeling and captioned it with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter.
President Trump reiterated his staunch anti-kneeling stance on Tuesday morning, tweeting, "Looking forward to live sports, but any time I witness a player kneeling during the National Anthem, a sign of great disrespect for our Country and our Flag, the game is over for me!"
Key Background:
Taking a knee during the anthem, a controversial practice begun by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has come into renewed focus in the wake Geroge Floyd's death, and the subsequent demonstrations and riots that consumed the country. Last month, after initially stating he would "never agree" with those kneeling during the anthem, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees reversed course and apologized to his friends, teammates, the City of New Orleans, the black community. "It breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused," wrote Brees. The NFL league office has also recently made several attempts to improve its relationship with its Black players. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a lengthy apology last month, saying in a video message, "We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest." On Tuesday, the NBA showcased the court on which games will be played next week, which features "Black Lives Matter" written on the floor in large, glossy black print. In its defense of Kapler and the other Giants players Monday night, the official MLB Twitter account responded to criticism by writing, "Supporting human rights is not political," and "Supporting our players and supporting equality is not political."
Critical Quotes:
"I don't like putting myself out there. My instinct is to keep quiet and not make waves," wrote Giants outfielder Jaylin Davis. "But unless we all find a way to openly talk and genuinely listen to each other about racism, we have no hope of rooting it out."
"It has never been about the military or the flag," MLB's Twitter account.
Chief Critic:
Trump continues to reemphasize his opposition to players kneeling during the anthem. "OLD GLORY is to be revered, cherished, and flown high... We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart. There are other things you can protest, but not our Great American Flag - NO KNEELING!" Trump tweeted in June.
Further Reading:
Colin Kaepernick And Other Prominent Athletes Demand Justice For George Floyd (Forbes)
The Stories That Are Hardest to Tell — Jaylin Davis (SFGiants.com)
Giants manager takes a knee during anthem and Trump tweets 'the game is over for me' (Washington Post)
