Michigan Football vs. Penn State: 3 Important Takeaways for UM

Hands in the Air

Starting with Colin Kaepernick, it has become fashionable to protest during the national anthem. Kaepernick has said he refuses to recognize the flag of a country that systematically oppresses minorities. Hence, a trend has been born across sports at all levels.

Some players kneel but recent weeks have seen a more disturbing trend of players and fans raising their fist during the Star Spangled Banner. This is an obvious throwback to the ’68 Olympics where the gesture was made in support of Malcolm X’s Black Panthers.

Both Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio and Harbaugh were asked about players on the Spartans and Wolverines who took part in the practice today. Color analyst Brian Greise who worked the game for ABC mildly rebuked Harbaugh’s position during the broadcast.

The case against officers who supposedly subjected Freddy Gray to a “rough ride” that killed him fell apart and no convictions were made. “Hands up, don’t shoot” never happened. Video has been released in the past couple hours in North Carolina and is being scrutinized.

The system, society at large, is weighing the claims of all sides and trying to come to the correct conclusion. Not all (Tulsa just last week and South Carolina stand out) but most of the supposed abuses have been shown over time to be false or overblown.

Meanwhile, the actions of BLM have been more obviously detrimental. Ferguson, Missouri burned. Charlotte is enduring its fifth night of rioting. As this article is being written, news is crossing the wire that 8 people have been shot in Baltimore. The Charm City has seen historically high levels of violence since riots there last year. Dallas saw five officers gunned down in two departments in a surreal act of violence this past summer. In addition, we are seeing civilians subjected to very race-based hate crimes the rioters are supposedly standing up against.

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Coaches have every right to stand up to players endorsing the violent movement through raised fists. Thus, it is more than just a free speech issue. Part of a coach’s duty is to mold his players into men. Leadership can only be demonstrated by turning away from those who engage and promote the terrible scenes that occurred in downtown Charlotte this week.