Megan Rapinoe takes knee for anthem, ‘disgusted’ with treatment of Kaepernick
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick continues to receive public support from fellow athletes in his protest of the national anthem.
Women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe knelt while the anthem played before her club Seattle Reign FC faced off against the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday in “a nod to Kaepernick,” per John D. Halloran of American Soccer Now.
Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem tonight in Chicago. Says it was intentional, "a nod to Kaepernick."
— John D. Halloran (@JohnDHalloran) September 5, 2016
When asked about the gesture afterwards, Rapinoe said that she is “disgusted” with the way Kaepernick has been treated, per Julie Foudy of ESPN. Rapinoe also said that she plans to continue kneeling during the national anthem for games moving forward, citing a need for all people, not just people of color, to fight for the issues that Kaepernick is standing for.
Rapinoe to me on taking a knee for anthem: I'm disgusted w way Colin has been treated & the fans & hatred he has received in all of this.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016
Rapinoe: it needs to be everyone confronting problems in our country, not just people of color.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016
Rapinoe: I intend to do it for games going forward.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016
Rapinoe becomes the latest athlete to make a show of solidarity with Kaepernick. 49ers teammate Eric Reid and Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane joined Kaepernick’s protest in two separate instances on Thursday.
While the reaction to Kaepernick’s protest hasn’t always been positive, he has to be pleased with the support that keeps pouring in for him and his message.
Image Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports