Kevin Durant backs Colin Kaepernick national anthem protest
Colin Kaepernick continues to get support from fellow athletes over his decision to sit out the national anthem.
Kaepernick’s new Bay Area cohort, Kevin Durant, said he fully supports the quarterback’s decision to protest.
“I’m behind anyone who stands up for what they believe in,” Durant said, via Anthony Slater of the Mercury News. “Colin Kaepernick is standing up for what he believes in. That’s what makes our country so great, right? You have the luxury to do so. He was unapologetic about it and, in his defense, I don’t think he was trying to disrespect anyone. I think he was trying to get his point across. I’m all for anyone who wants to do that. As athletes, we have this huge platform. A lot of people are watching at all times. Sometimes it may not be what you do, they like. But if you feel like it’s gonna be impactful, that’s on you. I feel like everyone should stand up for what they believe.”
With the NBA season about two months away, it will be interesting to see if Kaepernick’s protests carry themselves over to basketball. It’s been a league where players have always been bold in standing against racism, which is the heart of where Kaepernick’s protests are coming from. Perhaps NBA players will take some cues from him once the season does kick off.
