Democratic Congressman: National Anthem Protests Shouldn't Occur on Sept. 11
ESPN's Andy Katz and ABC's Rick Klein interview Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.
— -- Athletes who may be considering protesting the national anthem on the NFL's opening Sunday, the 15th anniversary of 9/11, should reconsider the idea, according to a Democratic Congressman from New York.
Hakeem Jeffries, who represents New York's 8th congressional district, said on the ESPN/ABC News podcast Capital Games Wednesday that he supports San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick's right to protest the anthem but doesn't think anyone should do so this Sunday. The Niners host the Los Angeles Rams Monday night, removing the possibility of Kaepernick protesting on the anniversary.
"I do think, particularly on the 15th anniversary of Sept. 11 that the appropriate thing to do is to suspend any protests that could be misinterpreted on one of the most solemn days of the country where we lost almost 3,000 Americans and it changed the landscape of the United States of America and in fact the world in terms of the advent of the terrorists assault on our values," Jeffries said on Capital Games.
"That is a particularly unique moment and we won't face that issue with (Kaepernick) the 49ers playing on Monday night football, but I do think it is a very reasonably to do for anyone else who maybe considering supporting the Kaepernick protest by suspending that on the 15th anniversary of 9-11," said Jeffries, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Jeffries, who said he stands for the anthem and pledge of allegiance every time it is played, also supported Team USA hockey coach John Tortorella's stance that if any player sits during the national anthem while playing for him in the World Cup of Hockey that the player would sit for the entire game.
"I think in the context of team USA, I do think that's a reasonable line to draw as it relates to representing a country in the context of a sporting event," Jeffries said. "I think in those circumstances there is a reasonable and maybe strong argument to be made that disrespect of the flag or anthem should be strongly discouraged and frowned upon."
Jeffries said that in "the context of a professional sporting event where an individual has the opportunity to make a decision," the player has the right to protest the anthem and the flag. He also praised Kaepernick pledging $1 million to communities where there has been issues of social injustice.
"I think that he has every right to do what he's doing,'' said Jeffries.