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Littlefield: Colin Kaepernick And A Concerning T-Shirt

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"Colin Kaepernick and the people with the signs proclaiming themselves proud Americans are equally entitled to exercise free speech," writes Bill Littlefield. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
"Who creates and sells a T-shirt featuring an athlete – or anybody, for that matter – as the target of somebody with a gun?" writes Bill Littlefield. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Fans cheer, and fans boo. The opportunity to do those things is part of what they’re paying for when they buy tickets.

Most fans cheer and boo in response to what’s going on during a game.

Some don’t limit themselves to that.

When quarterback Colin Kaepernick recently returned to action for the San Francisco 49ers against the Buffalo Bills, some of the fans in Buffalo demonstrated their dismay before he took a single snap. Kaepernick continues to take a knee while the national anthem is played, and they don’t like that. Some of those fans carried signs, one of which read: “Bills Fans – Proud Americans – We Respect Our Flag and Anthem.”

A group of fans in the parking lot outside the stadium held signs in support of Kaepernick. “Take A Knee Against Police Brutality,” said one. Another read: “Which Side Are You On?” which is historically interesting, as well as ominous.

When pro athletes speak out or demonstrate regarding a social issue, some people are encouraged. They do not see a distinction between pro athletes and anybody else who wants to express an opinion in a nation where everyone can do that.

Others are dismayed, even outraged. They think the athletes should shut up and play.

OK, so far. Then it gets twisted. In the same parking lot where some fans were supporting Colin Kaepernick – the parking lot outside the stadium in which fans were not supporting him – you could buy a T-shirt featuring cross hairs superimposed over Kaepernick’s image. The message on the shirt read: “WANTED: Notorious Disgrace To America.”

Who creates and sells a T-shirt featuring an athlete – or anybody, for that matter – as the target of somebody with a gun? As a nation, we are much given to acquiring guns and shooting people, even without encouragement.

Colin Kaepernick and the people with the signs proclaiming themselves proud Americans are equally entitled to exercise free speech.

And in a lot of the places where thousands and thousands of people congregate to watch games and express their opinion, those people are also entitled to carry guns.

Related:

Headshot of Bill Littlefield

Bill Littlefield Host, Only A Game
Bill Littlefield was the host of Only A Game from 1993 until 2018.

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