Journal & Topics Media Group

Taking A Knee: The Great Debate


For some, change is never easy, especially one that sparks so much division across the nation. Ever since former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the playing of the national anthem last year, to shine a light to racial inequality, numerous other teams and players in the NFL have followed suit.

Kaepernick told the media last year, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

He said he would stand when he felt that the American flag represents what it is supposed to represent: freedom.

When President Donald Trump hit Twitter with multiple tweets stating his feelings on the subject, the debate over freedom of speech, or to peacefully protest versus disrespecting the nation and the men and women who have served, has only intensified.

In reaching out to area football coaches on whether the subject of taking a knee during the anthem has been discussed, it was found a handful hadn’t talked about the issue with their teams or brought it up, or did not want to talk about it to avoid bringing politics into the locker room.

Other teams and coaches, however, have discussed the issues pertaining to respect and freedom of speech.

Most of Maine East’s varsity football players, but not all, took a knee during the anthem before Thursday’s game at Maine West. There was no audible booing from the crowd, as there had been in some NFL stadiums in previous weeks.

Maine East football players link arms and take a knee during the national anthem at Maine West High School Thursday, Sept. 28.

Maine East coach Scott Smith was torn on the subject. He talked with his coaches and asked his captain Julio Cabrales about any possible kneeling or any other form of protest being planned. He said a few players had talked, but it wasn’t anything Smith thought they would do.

“I told him (Cabrales) my honest feelings and that I believe what I believe, is you have to decide as a team,” Smith said. “I stand. I am an American. I love our American flag and I love our anthem. I am going to stand and do what is right.”

Smith said while he has his own views, he won’t suppress his players’ rights as Americans to make their own decision.

“I got emotional in the locker room,” Smith said. “I told the guys ‘I can’t tell you no.’ If you choose to do this, I told them I won’t get on a knee with you. I am going to stand on the sideline, take off my hat and put my hand over my heart and listen to the anthem. I am American and that’s what I believe in. I was hoping they would (change their mind) on the ride over. I told the guys in the locker room to make sure, in your hearts, that you are doing this for the right reason. The implications are you will probably be booed and it will bring reporters to me asking about it. I will tell them honestly about my feelings and I won’t support you on this. I love you to death, but in this instance, I don’t agree with it. Some guys didn’t do it.”

Fremd coach Lou Sponsel talked with his team a year ago when Kaepernick first took a knee. A U.S. Navy veteran was on the Fremd football coaching staff last year.

“We had a special teams coach (Brock Shiffer) with us last year, who was an injured (Navy) veteran confined to a wheelchair,” Sponsel said. “He said, ‘I will never be able to stand for the anthem. I would love to stand for the anthem.’ We would have players help him stand for the anthem before each game last year. We teach of the sacrifices made for that flag. It is not political. We love our servicemen and women. We tried to turn it into a positive.”

Sponsel has two brothers who served in the Army and was always taught to respect the flag.

“High school is about creating stronger, better young men,” Sponsel said. “There is a lot of diversity. It isn’t about politics. Football is about being greater as a group than focusing on an individual. We talked a little in the preseason about the subject (of taking a knee). We are not thinking of it as battling injustice. We talk about honoring those who fought or are fighting.”

Sponsel said they would support a teammate if they did take a knee, but the Vikings are more focused on the game rather than being distracted by outside issues.

Loyola Academy head coach John Holecek, a former NFL player, said he supports the NFL players’ rights, “but our high school is not the correct environment for protest.”

Holecek said he hasn’t discussed the subject of kneeling during the anthem, but would like to have a discussion if the players want to.

Some schools, including Maine West and Evanston, distributed letters to coaches and the public last week about dealing with the subject.

Evanston Township High School released a statement and read another as nearly 20 players took a knee before their game against New Trier, who had one player kneel, Thursday night.

“At Evanston Township High School, we teach civic education so our students have a fundamental understanding of our democracy and citizenship in a free society,” Evanston’s superintendent said in a press release. “We teach our students about our system of government and the Constitution of the United States. They learn that they live in a country where freedom of speech, freedom of expression, is valued and protected, and that they can express their own opinions and ideas without fear of government retaliation or societal sanction.

“Students of Evanston Township High School have the right of free expression and association and the privacy of one’s own thoughts and opinions. If a student chooses to remain seated or kneel during the national anthem, our existing practice allows students to express their First Amendment right to free speech so long as it does not significantly disrupt the learning environment.”

Maine West’s letter asked all coaches to be prepared for a situation in which one or more athletes may peacefully protest during the playing of the national anthem. The school asked the coaches to have a conversation with their team before their next competition.

“If there is an athlete who wishes to protest in some way during the anthem, we ask that you do so respectfully and silently, and not encourage others to join in on your personal decision,” the letter states. “We would like all of our teams to stand in unison and respect the flag, but will not force anyone to do so. This is a personal preference and one we will respect.”

This isn’t the first time players have taken a knee in Illinois high school football. Plainfield South and Rock Island (then coached by current Conant coach Bryan Stortz) saw players take a knee last year. In mid-September, an 8-and-under football team (Cahokia Quarterback Club) in Belleville saw their whole team take a knee.

The debate will continue until things change. When that change comes, no one knows.

Support local news by subscribing to the Journal & Topics in print or online.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.