#BoycottMLB Trends Over Giants, Gabe Kapler Kneeling For National Anthem
The hashtag #BoycottMLB began to trend on Twitter Tuesday after several members of the San Francisco Giants opted to kneel for the National Anthem during an exhibition game.
On Monday, the Giants squared off against the Oakland Athletics in a Spring Training outing. They ultimately emerged victorious, but the final result wasn’t what everyone came away talking about.
Rather, it was the display by numbers members of the Giants organization during the National Anthem.
Team manager Gabe Kapler and several players all opted to take a knee in support of Black Lives Matter prior to the game beginning.
Members of the @SFGiants kneel during the National Anthem. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/QbvAvCZiEs
— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2020
Taking a knee during the National Anthem has become something of a call to action on behalf of Black Lives Matter after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick popularized the trend.
Back when Kaepernick opted to do it, in 2016, he was essentially the only big name sports personality to participate in the act and was widely criticized for it. Many believe that he was permanently blacklisted from the NFL as a result of his actions.
These days, kneeling during the National Anthem is far less frowned upon.
That being said, shortly after the Giants made their decision to kneel, #BoycottMLB began to trend on Twitter – so clearly a lot of people still have a problem with the act.
You are direspecting our country. I won’t be watching MLB anymore. I be dammed if I will be watching a bunch of spoiled, over paid athletes shove their politics down our throats. #BoycottMLB
— Debbie Dooley (@Crimsontider) July 21, 2020
Done with @MLB. I used to watch sports for the sport, not for politics. Since you are going political, I’m going for a hike. #BoycottMLB
— King Kong (@climber25) July 21, 2020
Will other teams follow the Giants’ example in the coming days, weeks and months? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
