Taking a Knee: Sports, Patriotism, and Political Protest

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the intersection of sports, patriotism, and political protest, focusing on significant events and figures.

Taking a Knee

Refers to Colin Kaepernick's action of kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.

The Star Spangled Banner

The national anthem of the United States, first played at a baseball game in 1862.

Babe Ruth

Famous baseball player who played during World War 1; his experience showcased the intersection of sports and patriotism.

Paid Patriotism

• The term used to describe the practice of military displays at sporting events funded by the military.

• Dallas Cowboys were known for doing this

Kenesaw Landis

• MLB Commissioner who inquired about continuing baseball during World War 2.

• Decided to play national anthem before every game during WW2

Pat Tillman

• NFL player who enlisted in the Army after 9/11 and was killed in action, becoming a symbol of sports and military.

• Government lied about his death

NFL Rule Change 2015

Established that players must be on the field during the national anthem with a hand over their heart.

Trayvon Martin

• A black teenager whose death in 2012 sparked national protests and discussions about race.

• Walking back at night from store and got called 911 on

Eric Garner

An unarmed black man who died in police custody in 2014, whose last words "I can't breathe" became a rallying cry for protests.

World War 1 Influence on Sports

No war affected sports more significantly than World War 1, which intensified the association between patriotism and athletics.

Military Displays in Sports

Post-9/11 phenomenon where sporting events featured military tributes and patriotic displays.

Hands Up, Don't Shoot

Protest gesture used by St. Louis Rams players in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

President Trump on Kneeling Athletes

In response to the protests, he controversially referred to protesting players as 'sons of bitches'.

Super Bowl XXV

• “A five-hour informercial for war”

• during the gulf war

• George H W Bush addressed the US during halftime to update about the gulf war