Long Post Alert...but definitely worth a read. I appreciate the sentiment of countless patriots who feel that NFL players (or any other able-bodied person) should never sit, kneel, or any other silent protest when the flag is raised. I have a strong military heritage in my family. The only reason I didn't serve was because I couldn't physically. I have respect for every institution that comprises our nation. Our flag is our banner. It's a symbol of all that we stand for. Showing respect for the people who gave their freedom and/or their lives is a part of me. However, I kneel for the exact reason that most want me to stand. The same way those soldiers died for my freedom, so did countless civilians. They stood, sat, kneeled, or crawled unarmed and defenseless. I live in a country that I love with all of my heart, but it does not always love me back. One wrong flinch and I could be a memory, all at the hands of someone whose job it is to protect me. I also have a strong police heritage in my family. I support the force. Blue lives truly do matter. I say all of this so people will know, I am not bending my knee lightly. Every time I do, I hurt more and more for the state of things in my country. I do not believe we are at our worst, but we are certainly not at our best. I don't need to make America great again. I'd settle for regular today. I'd be happy if I didn't tense up at a traffic stop because my licensed and concealed weapon in my glove box or my hand opening my wallet or my lazy left eye looking a little too smug might make my baby boy fatherless because the wrong officer came to my window. So just know, I'm still as proud to be an American as I ever was. I'm not kneeling because I'm not proud. I'm kneeling because I'm not safe. For those who would cry "shut up and stand up" to me, you can't believe in your free speech and not in mine. This is #whywekneel #takeaknee #blacklivesmatter #bluelivesmatter #alllivesmatterequally
