By Matiana Tepa, Features Editor
On September 1 this year, the San Francisco 49ers played against the San Diego Chargers at the Qualcomm Stadium. While a naval officer sang the National Anthem, Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for S.F, and Eric Reid, safety for S.F, took a knee to support racial equality with the police force.
They kneeled the entire length of the National Anthem and raised many eyebrows, questions and conflict on the subject. Many people agree with the movement Kaepernick is supporting, but do not support his actions. Some call it disrespectful to the country and those who fight for it. Some call it brave to publicly announce his support in such a way. Kennedy's players indicated their coaches had discussed the protest with the team and that if they wanted to kneel, it would have to be done as a team.
The following are several responses from some of our own Kennedy football players and coach on the subject.
Linus Luangrath- Defensive End John Hunter- Running Back, Defensive End Coach Matthew Costa- Head Coach
Q: What is your opinion of Kaepernick decision to kneel during the national anthem?
Luangrath: I think he could’ve done other things that would’ve made a bet- ter impact. Hunter: He’s not respecting the soldiers who gave up their life for this country.
Costa: I mean he’s entitled to his opinion, but there’s better ways of doing it. But I don’t have a problem with it.
Q: How do you feel being a minority on the football team?
Luangrath: There’s no racism. We all get along...nobody pulls the race card.
Hunter: We’re all brothers.
Q: Would you do what Kaepernick is doing, or take it that far, if its for a good cause?
Luangrath: I probably wouldn’t... I don’t want to single myself out, if I were to do that I’d want to do it as a team. Hunter: No, I wouldn’t be that disrespectful.
Costa: We’re talking about a display of civil disobedience for a good reason, but it’s a passive aggressive way of displaying your beliefs. That’s just my opinion. Kaepernick used his position to get his point across, I’d petition, I wouldn’t do it that way.