Rapinoe kneels again during anthem before US match

Sep 21, 2016, 01:14
Rapinoe kneels again during anthem before US match

And on Sunday she did it again before a game against the Netherlands, once more taking a knee while wearing the U.S. Soccer crest over her heart.

That U.S. Soccer would in one breath discuss reflecting "upon the liberties and freedom we all appreciate in this country" and in the next consider punishing one of their athletes for exercising that very freedom is ludicrous, but then again, it's not like U.S. soccer has never done something ludicrous before. At least not for Sunday's game. When she kneeled on Thursday in a US uniform, it was unprecedented based on SI.com's research, which couldn't find any examples in the history of worldwide soccer of players refusing to stand for their own anthem.

But outside of the strongly worded message from soccer bigwigs, Rapinoe said Sunday night that she hasn't heard from any U.S. Soccer executives regarding her position. "Therefore, our national anthem has particular significance for U.S. Soccer", the statement read.

There was speculation that Rapinoe might refrain from kneeling before Thursday night's game because she was playing for the United States and not her club team.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color", Kaepernick told NFL Media. It was also the final game for midfielder Heather O'Reilly, who was retiring after 15 years with the national team.

U.S. Soccer responded after Rapinoe did not stand during the anthem ahead of last Thursday's 9-0 win against Thailand, releasing a statement that said, in part, "As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand an honor our flag while the national anthem is played". Instead, Rapinoe simply wants to continue the conversation started by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick several weeks ago.

Rapinoe does not appear too concerned about any possible punishment from U.S. Soccer.

"I think just the conversation at large is really kind of picking up steam", Rapinoe says.

"Do I kneel forever?"

Rapinoe said that she wasn't sure when, or if, she would resume standing during the playing of the anthem, but added that she doesn't see herself kneeling in perpetuity. Do I kneel forever? "But I think until I can feel like I'm being more effective in other ways, then this seems appropriate to me".

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