Dear Colin Kaepernick: You're A Hypocritical, Unpatriotic Idiot. And The 49ers/NFL Are Even Worse By Letting You Sit During The National Anthem

Dear Colin:

We live in a great country, don't we bro? One that allows you to worship as you please, speak out as you please, and believe as you please. Why, you can even choose to sit down if you please, even through the playing of the National Anthem. Well, so long as your employer lets you, and apparently the 49ers and the NFL are more than happy to let you. More on that in a minute.

Colin Kaepernick's adoptive parents

I see that you woke up last month and decided to convert to Islam. Assalamu Alaykum, Colin. I hope you find peace while on the downhill slope of your NFL football career. You know, the one that's letting you earn $144 Million over six years as an oppressed black man raised by a white couple who adopted you after your black father and white mother put you up for adoption.

Do you not see the irony in that, Colin? A white couple adopting a mixed race baby so he would have the chance at a good life? Two white people who followed their hearts, saw a child in need, and took him in? White brothers and sisters who treated you every bit the same as they treated each other?

Colin Kaepernick's family

And you still have the stones to talk about racial bigotry? Aren't you the same guy who was fined $10,000 in 2014 for calling another player the "N" word when he teased you for throwing an interception? I could have sworn that was you with the "Kaepernick" on the back of the jersey....

Who's the bigot now, Col-Man?

But back to the point of this post. As I mentioned, I see that you've decided not to stand during the playing of our National Anthem at the beginning of your NFL games. You said, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

The Kaepernick $2.4 Million dwelling in San Jose

First and foremost, leave me and "people of color" out of your little tirade. You and I are as a different as the sun and the moon. We "people of color" can do our own talking and we don't need or want you to speak for us. None of us have designated you as Honorary Hispanic or Honorary Person of Color, so speak for yourself and leave us the heck out of your cause.

As for your perception that it would be selfish for you to ignore the plight of others, spare me. You are the poster child for selfishness. Selfish is you raking in the bazillions of dollars you're getting paid to sit on the 49ers' bench while at the same time not having donated one thin dime to the group that you have now adopted as your cause celebre' - Black Lives Matter.

Selfish is living la vida loca as you drive your $100,000 Jaguar convertible into the driveway of your 4,600 square foot digs in San Jose, CA without lifting a finger to help those who are less fortunate, you egocentric, spoiled whiner.

And here you are complaining about oppression after plunking down $2.4 Million in 2014 for your home?

You ass.

We've established you're both selfish and hypocritical. It must be hard to cope with all the hardships you've had to endure, what with the man keeping you down and preventing you from getting out of that $2.4 Million ghetto.

I'm curious, C. Why all this sudden concern for the plight of the black man? You're in your 6th year in the NFL. Why is it that all of a sudden you've come to the conclusion that our country is oppressing black people and people of color? You could have spoken up long ago but you didn't.

Has President Obama, a mixed race black man just like you, suddenly led us to systematic oppression of black people? What has changed from the last five seasons when you thought it was just Yankee Doodle Dandy to stand for the national anthem, but now it's not OK?

And while we're at it, what exactly is the government doing to oppress you? Please, share it with me. Specify what governmental actions have resulted in your being treated differently or in a negative fashion. I'm sure at a loss to think of any. 

We have a black man in the presidency, a black woman in charge of the Justice Department, and more blacks heading up positions of power within the government than ever. When I look around me, what I see is the exact opposite of black oppression. If anything, the exact opposite exists. It's a system of affirmative action that serves as a way to treat black people unequally, as in more favorably, solely because of their race.

I'm Exhibit "A", Colin. I'm a so-called person of color who came to the U.S. at the age of 5, with nothing but the shirt on my back, without a dime in my pocket, and unable to speak a word of English. I'm not worth $22 Million like you, but I've done pretty darn well thanks to all the opportunities I've had here in the U.S. And I've been oppressed?

That's not to say I haven't been called a few names along the way. That's not to say I've haven't seen a few dads raise an eyebrow when they saw me on their doorstep to pick up their daughters for a first date. That's not to say I haven't been pulled over a few times by cops who had nothing better to do than play games. That's not to say I haven't heard the snickers and giggles, or seen the awkward looks that caused a few stumbles along the way.

But it wasn't the government doing any of that. It was ignorant people. Ignorant people who have every right to be ignorant if they want to be ignorant. And instead of using their ignorance as an excuse for failing or giving up, I persevered. I never gave up. I got to where I am because I refused to be lazy or use that as a convenient way to justify failure.

So don't preach to me about oppression and how it affects lives. It can be overcome, if you want to to overcome it. I simply chose not to sit on my rear end like you.

Nessa Diab, Colin Kaepernick's fiance'

Nessa Diab, practicing her "authentic Islam" (right).
Must be the newest style of burka worn in Egypt.

Now, I'm guessing this new found concern you have for the plight of oppressed black people has something to do with your recent engagement to MTV personality Nessa Diab, she of Egyptian descent. It seems that she also just recently joined the Black Lives Matter bandwagon like a lot of people trying to be what they're not.

I hear she also promotes "authentic Islam" and the two of you are planing a traditional Muslim wedding. Good for you. Except as the two of you embark down you path of sincere adherence to Islam, you might want to have Nessa revisit her fashion decisions. Same goes for any future plans for cosmetic surgery augmentations.

Call me quirky, C-Man but I was not aware that strict adherence to Islam is consistent with her current choices. Unless, of course, "authentic Islam" means being self obsessed with one's looks, augmentation of certain body parts, and flaunting them at every opportunity.

Nothing like a good "authentic Islam" selfie

But that's not you guys, right CK?  You two don't just talk a good game, say the right things, and pretend to be what you're not, do you?

You're just an oppressed black man with a net worth of some $22,000,000.00 and lots more cash coming down the pike from that guaranteed contract you signed with the 49ers. So even if they decide to let you go, you'll be just fine, thank you very much. I mean oppressed, but just fine.

You might be wondering who I am to question your decision to do what you do best, i.e. sit on the bench ... even during the National Anthem.

Well, I'm the guy who appreciates what has been given to me, even if it wasn't always perfectly afforded. And I can't stand it when people talk about our freedoms without having a clue about the freedoms we actually have. Take our 1st Amendment, for example.

The 49ers have issued a statement about your situation:

"The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem."

Chip Kelly told reporters that your decision not to stand during the national anthem is your "right as a citizen" and, "...it's not my right to tell him not to do something." The NFL also released a statement, to the effect that players are not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.

Here's where the rubber meets the road. You see, Colin, you don't have the "right" to sit during the National Anthem. Your coach, the 49ers and/or the NFL could very easily require you and any other player to stand if they wanted to make it a requirement. For that mater, they could make you stand on one foot and juggle balls if they wanted to. It's their right as your employer.

Perish the thought that I should challenge a constitutional interpretation by a scholar such as 49ers football coach Chip Kelly, the 49ers or the NFL. But the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution reads as follows:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

See the very first word in the very first sentence? It says "Congress". That means Congress can't abridge a person's freedom of speech. It doesn't say "Chip Kelly", "the 49ers", or "the NFL". They're all private entities or people, not "Congress". They can abridge a person's free speech all they want, if they want, when they want, and how they want.

Bottom line? If Kelly, the 49ers, or the NFL wanted to make you get off your well rested rear end and force you to stand for the National Anthem, Colin, they could. They just choose not to.

Which is why I've gone to the trouble of writing this. It's to let you know that you're being allowed to sit during the National Anthem by your coach, by the 49ers, and by the NFL. And the public should let all three of them know what they think of that.

Instead of heaping abuse on a half wit, spoiled, hypocritical has-been athlete like you, people should be venting their anger at the 49ers and the NFL. They're the ones who are being unpatriotic by allowing you to sit during the playing of our country's Anthem. The one we sing to celebrate the greatness of our nation. The one so many people died for.

Because it is a great country, Colin. So very great. 

The 49ers and the NFL are a bunch of politically correct cowards. They should all take a page from the NBA which would have none of this when one of its players decide to do a "Colin" and remain seated during the National Anthem.

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets (formerly Chris Jackson before converting to Islam) refused to stand during the National Anthem in protest, citing similar reasons as you, and saying that it conflicted with some of his Islamic beliefs. Abdul-Rauf was suspended by the NBA. A compromise was then worked out between the league and Abdul-Rauf. 

And sure as you know what, at the very next game, Abdul-Rauf was standing at attention with his teammates and coaches during the playing of the National Anthem. Honoring those who died so you could sit on your ass and profess your recent, disingenuous concern over the plight of black Americans, Colin. 

I'm hopeful your coach, team, and/or league will grow a pair and follow the NBA's lead. Then, you''ll be standing during the National Anthem.

Going forward, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to sit, Colin. Both during the playing of the National Anthem and otherwise. Just on your own time. When you're out of the league and nobody gives two dog turds about what you and your squeeze think.