#TakeAKnee
NFL players protesting racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Started | Colin Kaepernick, 2016 |
| Peak | September 2017 |
| Catalyst | Trump “fire the sons of bitches” comments |
| Impact | Nationwide sports protests |
Origin & Impact
Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem in 2016, but #TakeAKnee went viral in September 2017 when President Trump called for NFL owners to fire protesting players. His comments at an Alabama rally sparked mass protests across the NFL, with entire teams kneeling or linking arms.
The hashtag divided America along political and racial lines. Supporters saw it as peaceful protest against police brutality; critics viewed it as disrespecting the flag and military. The controversy dominated sports and political discourse for months.
Kaepernick’s activism cost him his NFL career but made him a civil rights icon. Nike’s 2018 campaign featuring him became one of advertising’s most controversial moments.
Related Hashtags
#ImWithKap #BlackLivesMatter #Kaepernick #NFL #ProtestAnthem