This site is a Bengals fan site where we talk about strictly football. The recent events in the United States is at the forefront of the sports world whether we like it or not. I recently posted an article about the potential of the Bengals signing Colin Kaepernick and Bengals groups on Facebook exploded. The article was taken down by two group Administrators because the fan comments became too inflammatory. The story was strictly about football and a lot of people didn’t even click to get past the headline.
I went back and took a look at the overall thumbs up, mad emojis, laughs (whatever those mean in this situation), and comments in each of the posts. Bengals fans were 50/50 on the entire thought of bringing in Kaepernick. The loudest fans were those speaking out against Kaepernick and primarily it had to do with his political stance; however some fans did keep to the football only aspect and his declining numbers once his gimmick offense was exposed.
What you as a fan need to be ready for is the first preseason NFL game. In that game, along with many others in at least the 2020 season, Bengals players will be taking a knee during the National Anthem. Be ready for this too……..so will Bengals fans and visiting teams fans. Yes, Joe Burrow will likely take a knee in solidarity with his black teammates. He was one of the first Bengals to speak up publicly on Twitter and his teammates (to include Tee Higgins) recognized him immediately for his immediate leadership on the topic.
Many of you stated that you would sell your season tickets, boo the team or even stop watching football if Kaepernick was signed. Those that said that were basing it on their disapproval for taking a knee during the National Anthem. Will you apply that disdain equally when you see the new golden boy (Burrow) take the same stance as the hated Colin Kaepernick? It won’t be just Burrow. It is pretty clear from Twitter than players such as Tee Higgins, D.J Reader, Trae Waynes, McKensie Alexender, Logan Wilson, Ryan Glasgow and many others will be taking a knee this season.
It is everyone’s First Amendment right to boo or cheer. It is also their right to sell their season tickets or buy box seats. My hope is that everyone takes a step back from all of this and remembers that we are all just fans together and that Joe Burrow will lead us to our first Super Bowl victory whether he takes a knee or not. If you bail on the team now you may miss the greatest decade to be a Bengals fan. Who Dey Nation…UNITE.