The sports world was changed in 2016 when Colin Kaepernick, then an NFL quarterback, began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. His decision sparked national debate, drawing both criticism and admiration from fans, media, and fellow athletes.
Green’s Perspective on Kaepernick
NBA star Draymond Green publicly supported Kaepernick’s protest, seeing it as a symbol of defiance and a call to action on broader societal issues. “I think it’s important to speak out because we’re human,” Green said. “There are a lot of changes that need to be made.
It’s not just the killing of Black people — that’s obviously rough and crazy to me — there are a lot of changes that need to be made in this country.”
Green respected Kaepernick’s courage to take a stand despite knowing it would create controversy. “I respect Colin for that because he took a stand that he knew would probably create some controversy, and he didn’t care,” he said.
However, Green expressed frustration that much of the media focused on the act of kneeling itself rather than the underlying message about systemic issues. “If you turn on the TV, everything people are talking about is Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling down and disrespecting America,” Green said. “No, he’s not. But nobody wants to face the real problem or talk about the real problem…And I think it’s pretty ridiculous, to be quite frank.”
The Warriors’ Approach
In 2017, Green’s team, the Golden State Warriors, was widely seen as outspoken on racial inequality, especially as defending NBA champions. Yet during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets, the Warriors did not participate in a visible protest during the anthem. Meanwhile, Nuggets players and coaches linked arms to show solidarity.
Green explained the team’s decision: “We said what we had to say. Everyone knows where we stand. We don’t need to do anything else to show where we stand. Everyone knows where we stand.”
When asked if he personally would kneel like Kaepernick, Green replied, “Am I going to kneel down and put my fist up? No. That’s no disrespect to Colin or anybody else that’s doing it….I don’t think I need to come out and do this national anthem protest because it’s already been started. It’s already a conversation.”
Impact on Careers
Since 2016, Kaepernick has remained unsigned by NFL teams despite expressing interest in a comeback, making him one of the most prominent figures in athlete activism.
Green, now 35, continues to play with the Warriors, recently completing his 14th season. Both athletes have maintained a focus on highlighting systemic inequality through their respective platforms, albeit in different ways.
