Professional athletes typically shy away from getting political. There’s a lot at risk: career, fans, sponsorship. During the 2016 pre-season, then-San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during the National Anthem, starting a protest that would, one year later, leave him without a job largely due to the ensuing controversy. Now other football players have followed Kaepernick’s example during in the preseason, kneeling or taking a seat during the National Anthem.
The difference? They’re white teammates.
But do fans want to see their sports players get political? What are the players risking when they choose to intersect politics and sports?
Morning Shift talks to NPR contributor Mike Pesca and Tyler Tines, staff writer for SB Nation about the intersection of race, politics and sports.