On August 27, 2016, Steven Wyche, a media reporter for the National Football League, wrote a story about San Francisco Forty-Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Kaepernick’s choice in acting on a movement to oppose racial discrimination of minorities. Wyche’s story was published through the NFL for the public eye to view. Kaepernick has been refusing stand for the national anthem. Not only does Wyche cover Kaepernick’s controversial actions, but Wyche takes a stand for Kaepernick himself. Wyche’s article, concerning the football player’s movement, grabs the attention of several different audiences. The article was published onto the official NFL website in August when Kaepernick’s action began. Sports’ fans and readers of the site are …show more content…
In an attempt to persuade the audience to sympathize with Kaepernick or his chosen protest, the author provides information on Kaepernick’s injuries and personal struggles. Wyche explains that Kaepernick is true to his conviction by Kaepernick having taken the time to understand the situation before he acted. In an interview after one of Kaepernick’s games, Kaepernick explains that the reason he chose to sit down during the national anthem was bigger than football itself and that it would be selfish if he did not pay any attention to what is going on outside of professional football. “I have to stand up for people that are oppressed… If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right,” (Wyche 7) Kaepernick, in defense, told reporters in an interview. Wyche included this interview in his article to help persuade the audience on whether or not Kaepernick was doing this for publicity or out of true conviction for the cause. “…Using their platform and status to raise awareness to issues affecting minorities in the U.S,” (Wyche 4) Wyche explains in his article, stating that Kaepernick’s movement is truly to raise awareness. Wyche also attempts to persuade the audience by explaining that Kaepernick is biracial and could, therefor, understand both sides if the issue of …show more content…
The NFL published an article over his history of being a writer, along with where he attended school. Wyche earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in 1989, and has 27 years of journalism under his belt. Initially, he covered high school and small college sports. In 2008, Wyche officially became a media reporter for the National Football League. (NFL 3) In the article, only Wyche’s profession is recognized, and a writer’s background can change their credibility if not explained. Although the education and knowledge Wyche has about writing is not provided on the website, the audience can still access that information by a brief search. If the audience is simply reading this article without any further research, what is unknown by the audience is from where this writer originated. Wyche, by not providing his background information in an article, could cause a reader’s skepticism of the content of his
Ray Rice a former NFL running back who played for the Baltimore Ravens was caught brutally smacking his fiancee over, leaving her blacked out on the floor of a casino elevator taking place in Atlantic City. The footage leaked out world wide and the public created huge controversy over the coverage that continuously played a numerous of times on major news networks. Rice who was cut from the Ravens and suspended from the NFL after the release of the show down is now an unsigned free agent, searching for hope. Through shocking evidence and a glimpse into a professional football players life, I aim to examine how media created an entertainment brand out of the countless amount of times the video was aired, how the NFL handled the scandal, and how Rice strives to regain his identity.
African-American players are often negatively affected due to the prevalence of racism in the town. Ivory Christian, for instance, is a born-again Christian with aspirations to be a famous evangelist, but he is unable to pursue his dream due to his commitment to the football team. Because of this, the townspeople have unrealistic expectations of him and assume that he will put all his time and energy into football. Furthermore, there is a greater pressure on him to succeed...
In the article titled, “Dear Americans: Whatever You Do, Don’t Ban College Football,” published May 26, 2012 on pjmedia.com, Michael Van Der Galien endeavors his audience the influence of football, and how banning the sport within schools will take away the uniqueness of the sport. Van Der Galien compares football players as “gladiators”; how gladiators are known to entertain the crowd while hurting one another. No matter how dangerous the sport may be, Van Der Galien is confused on how analyst are shocked about the man injuries in football. Coming from England, Van Der Galien believes that football is freedom for America, and how “the freedom to pursue your happiness, regardless of what know-it-alls thinks.” (Van Der Galien, 2012, para. 6). Mr. Gladwell, interviewer from Slate, argues about how college football needs to be banned because of its health issues, and how it does not benefit the academics whatsoever.
4. Stoeltje, Melissa Fletcher. "Football players are high school celebrities; Pursuing Photo." AP (2000): Sports News.
...as the Odessan’s education system, one can determine that football never ends for blacks athletes. Their dreams are regulated by the White society, and even if these athletes find ways to create new dreams, it will inevitably, find its trail back to football. As an offensive lineman, Ronnie Bevers said, “This is the last minute of your life” (Bissinger 326). This demonstrates that once the era of your football career is over, you have nothing to look forward to. Perhaps Blacks are exploited in a way to elongate this dream of football. Imaginably, these athletes of colors are put out to create a sense of greatness, with an essential goal to bring home victory. But as long as this succession of manipulation is put out into the Friday night lights, there will always be athletes like Boobie Miles or Ivory Christian, who struggle to find their own dream and aspirations.
Henry Gass states, “The prospect of athletes speaking up has always been fraught” (2). Carl Stoffers states, “Many accused [Kaepernick] of thumbing his nose at America by not joining in a patriotic ritual that’s long been a fixture at sporting events” (8). Include the fact that the NFL which Kaepernick plays “[is] a league that promotes itself as a war game and brands itself with the flag” (Jenkins). Doubters are quick to label him unpatriotic because the place and time he protested might be wrong. The NFL show respect to military officials, Roger Goodell says, “The NFL believes very strongly in patriotism” (Jenkins). The military and American football has the same symbolic values. Carl Stoffers writes Starn says “[American is] the most sports-obsessed society in the history of the world, and we’re also a nation that’s obsessed with patriotism and pride in identity” (9). The national Anthem and the flag are symbols that American people believe make someone patriotic. Professor Blackistone writes, “[Kaepernick] dare to protest in the athletic arena, where [Americans] wrap sporting events in a prophylactic of patriotism used to demand political conformity and suppress discourse” (gtd. in
The author has presented, that Donald Trump and Drew Brees oppose Kaepernick’s actions. Donald Trump stated to go to another country, if he did not like what was happening. In other words, he is saying if you don’t like it, don’t stay here. However, Kaepernick has a right to support his ideas and opinions, because of the many police shootings. In addition, Drew Brees stated that his actions were insulting the American Flag. Although Kaepernick’s actions might seem offensive, his intentions wasn’t trying to insult the flag, but it was to stand up for the how poorly the minorities were treated. For instance, Kaepernick didn’t intentionally do this to cause a commotion. Instead, he wanted to protest in a quiet way. According to
One of the most popular sports in the United States, Football has become a haven for minorities that might otherwise struggle to receive a quality education. With professional teams and big-name colleges always on the look-out for the next top prospect, high-school football players face immense pressure to become the best in order to receive an education and have the chance to provide for themselves and their families. The documentary, “In Football We Trust,” focuses on the path of four Polynesian-American high school football players as they attempt to prove that they have what it takes to make it to the National Football League while navigating the trials and tribulations stemming from family, school, and outside
Joe Posnanski also analyzes Colin Kaepernick’s political statement near the end of his article. Posnanski in conclusion states “But he is making his statement, boldly, unflinchingly, fully ready to face whatever comes his way.” Accordingly, we will be faced with opinions and ideas of the country that we passionately disagree, to make a bold statement about the topic, the statement made has to be bold enough to bring attention to, but not to the point that it puts you or others in harm. Likewise, Posnanski announces “He has made it absolutely clear why he does this — it is a personal protest against what he views as racial injustice in America. The responses have been overwhelming and from all sides.” Furthermore, this displays the importance
My summary of this article is Colin Kaepernick didn’t stand when, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was played. When he did this it started a national debate. People all over the world are debating if you should have to stand during,” The Star-Spangled Banner.” Kaepernick also believes that police are unfair to Black Americans. So it is still a debate if you should stand during,” The Star-Spangled Banner.”
In conclusion, comparing a similar event where a fan paid to see Barbra Streisand in concert who shouted, “shut up and sing,” after Streisand voiced her own political view during her concert. This event is similar to Tebow, Kaepernick, and Warner making their opinion known on the sports field in the same way some fans are saying shut up and play ball when these athletes state their belief on the field. One of these athletes state his belief, because that is who he is as a man. However, another athlete states their belief, because he believes the country is racist by not taking the pledge as everyone else on his team. Football has always been America’s favorite past times, and these sport athletes are thought of as idols on a pedestals.
The narrator, Dr. Bennet Omalu is chosen to superintend his autopsy. As he analyzes the x-ray, he sees strange clots in the brain. Mind racing, he realizes that “Iron Mike” has suffered from a series of traumatic brain injuries known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He teams up with other doctors, and publishes a report on the issue, which is quickly dismissed by the NFL. And case after case he sees players who died due to fatal brain injuries. He tries to present his findings to the NFL committee for player safety, but they don’t take him seriously, and he isn’t even allowed into the conference room. In fact the NFL ask him to stop his research saying “You’re going to war with a corporation that owns a day of the week.” They talk about him as a man who, “since he won’t be a part of America, wants to destroy it instead.” Mockery and disgust follow him everywhere. But he still fights for his cause, working closely with other members of his team. Finally, after months of blood, sweat, and tears, Congress scrutinizes the NFL, and forces them to take the issue more seriously. This shows how hard work with your team, determination, and hope can bring about any change even in the most difficult issues. Dr Omalu, through all the insults, pressed on with his work, and didn’t stop until he succeeded. Many of the
Earlier this semester, we looked at the numerous events where Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem during NFL games. Colin Kaepernick’s political statement and action where he did not stand for the national anthem at these various San Francisco 49ers football games has brought great attention to the sports world, as well as American society. It has sparked controversy nationwide when Kaepernick claimed that the American flag prides the oppression of black people and people of color in general. These series of events have a dialectic relationship with the broader forces seen within our contemporary society. Over the progression of the semester, we have returned to further discuss the topic within this paper. There are many broader forces that mutually reinforce the Kaepernick’s actions, and we can see this through politics, race/ethnicity, and American nationalism seen within the country.
While most argue that Colin’s actions were within the parameters and accordance with the constitution, they do state that the National Football League, can, in fact, fire the players for supposedly disrespectful behaviour. Looking at it from a non-political viewpoint, though the players don’t contradict the constitution, NFL ratings have been substantially down and if they continue to be so, the authorities may have to punish these supposedly “disrespectful” behaviours, to bring certain viewers who were offended, back to the
He stated, “There are a lot of guys who have the ability to run and throw, but they probably can’t process and pick up the information.” “I don’t think it’s going to be based on your athletic ability. It’s going to be based on your ability to process and diagnose information,” (Cardale Jones: An Urban Legend, 5). This proves that through his time and training at the university, he has gained a level of respect and understanding for the relevance of education in athletics. He fully believes that his chance being drafted into the NFL will be focused more on his ability to process information than his ability to throw or run the ball. This supports my claim that athletics and academics are not in competition with one another, but are, in fact, nearly one in the same. Through information gathered from research online and in scholarly articles, along with an interview with an expert in both fields, a coach and teacher, one may begin to see a synthesis between these two fields that was not as apparent