Megan Rapinoe has joined the growing ranks of professional athletes showing solidarity with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, as the Seattle Reign midfielder kneeled during the national anthem before Sunday’s game against the Chicago Red Stars. Rapinoe is at least the second prominent Seattle athlete to show solidarity with Kaepernick, joining the Seahawks’ Jeremy Lane.
Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem tonight in Chicago. Says it was intentional, "a nod to Kaepernick."
— John D. Halloran (@JohnDHalloran) September 5, 2016
It's the least I can do. Keep the conversation going. https://t.co/qwfHcqgV6J
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) September 5, 2016
@JohnDHalloran pic.twitter.com/XJHiOhgbTW
— ❤️NWSL⚽️ (@gbpackfan32) September 5, 2016
Kaepernick helped spark a national debate recently when it was discovered he had been sitting during the anthem. He subsequently explained he was doing it as a sort protest against “a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”
More recently, Kaepernick has pledged to donate $1 million to community organizations and has started kneeling during the national anthem.
Rapinoe has not been shy about sharing her opinions on various social issues and has been an outspoken advocate of LGBTQ rights. She’s also a member of Street Football World — an organization built around bringing about social change through athlete activism — and has been among the most vocal United States women’s national team players about pay disparity.