Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa expressed his upset with San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler’s recent decision to protest the national anthem following a school shooting in Texas that left 21 victims, 19 children, dead.
Last week Kapler announced that he would be protesting the national anthem during upcoming games until action was taken on gun violence in the United States. On Saturday evening, La Russa expressed that, while he agrees that action needs to be taken, he thinks protesting the national anthem is wrong.
“I think he’s exactly right to be concerned…with what’s happening in our country. He’s right there. Where I disagree is the flag and the anthem are not appropriate places to try to voice your objections.”
The Sox’s La Russa said the anthem and flag hold a special place in this country and honor the men and women who have put their lives on the line to protect it. Protesting the 2, the manager explained, is really insulting to those American heroes more than some flag and song.
“Some of their courage comes from what the flag means to them and when they hear the anthem. You need to understand what the veterans think when they hear the anthem or see the flag. And the cost they paid and their families. And if you truly understand that, I think it’s impossible not to salute the flag and listen to the anthem.”
The Giant’s manager said that his decision to protest the anthem was based on something his dad told him. According to Kapler, the country isn’t representing its people very well at this moment.
“When I was the same age as the children in Uvalde, my father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn’t. I don’t believe it is representing us well right now.”
San Francisco was the town that spawned the national anthem protest during sporting events when Colin Kaepernick, the former Quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, protested the anthem before games. Unlike Kapler, Kaepernick claimed his anthem protest was to bring attention to police violence against minority suspects.
At this point it seems like kneeling during sporting events has become par for the course in this country. Has this stopped you from watching sports or buying their memorabilia? Do you still support teams who don’t kneel?
