Megan Rapinoe Explains Why She Knelt for National Anthem

Megan Rapinoe, a midfielder on the Seattle Reign and USWNT, knelt for the national anthem for the former’s game against the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday. Per CNN, Rapinoe said the gesture was “very intentional” and a “nod to Colin Kaepernick.”

ESPN soccer analyst Julie Foudy, herself a former USWNT player, spoke directly with Rapinoe and shared her rationale:

Rapinoe to me on taking a knee for anthem: I'm disgusted w way Colin has been treated & the fans & hatred he has received in all of this.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016

Rapinoe: It is overtly racist. Stay in ur place black man. Just didn’t feel right to me. And quite honestly being gay, I have stood with...
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016

Rapinoe: my hand over my heart during the national anthem & felt like I haven’t had my liberties protected, so I can absolutely sympathize..
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016

Rapinoe: with that feeling. The very least that I can do is continue the conversation with him by kneeling for the anthem.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016

More from Rapinoe from my convo w her 2night: Need a more substantive conversation around race relations, & the way people of color treated.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016

Rapinoe: it needs to be everyone confronting problems in our country, not just people of color.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016

Rapinoe: One player asked why I did it. I said for Colin Kaepernick. She said “Good for you.” Otherwise no reaction from team.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 5, 2016

However one feels about Kaepernick as the messenger, it cannot be denied that he has singlehandedly triggered an immense amount of dialog. This story appears to be far from over.