As details of the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas continue to unfold, San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler wrote Friday that he “disagrees with the state of this country” and that he “felt like a coward” for not protesting. “the lack of delivery on the promise of what our national anthem stands for.”
Moving forward, Kaper said on Friday he does not plan to appear on the field for the national anthem “until I feel better about leading our country.”
Kapler, in a blog post posted earlier Friday on his lifestyle brand’s website, said he was disappointed in himself that he didn’t protest during the broadcast of the national anthem on Wednesday.
An 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two teachers Tuesday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. In Buffalo, New York, 10 people were killed on May 14 when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire in a supermarket. The two gunmen were using AR-15 type assault rifles.
“When I was the same age as the children of Uvalde, my father taught me to defend the oath of allegiance when I believed that my country represented its people well or to protest and remain seated when it was not not. I don’t think he represents us well right now,” Kapler wrote.
“…Each time I place my hand over my heart and take off my hat, I participate in a self-congratulatory glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings are taking place. On Wednesday, I walked out into the field, I listened to the announcement as we paid tribute to the victims in Uvalde. I bowed my head. I sang the national anthem. Metallica riffed on City Connect guitars.
Kapler said he wanted to make some kind of gesture, but said he was aware it could be misunderstood as an act meant to be offensive “to the military, to the veterans, to themselves.”
“My brain said drop to one knee; my body didn’t listen. I wanted to go inside; instead, I froze. I felt like a coward. I didn’t want to attract the Watch out for me, I didn’t mean to take away from the victims or their families.
“…But I don’t agree with the state of this country. I wish I hadn’t let my discomfort compromise my integrity. I wish I could demonstrate what I learned from my father, that when you are not satisfied with your country, you make it known by protest. The house of the brave should encourage this.
Kapler is the latest example of how several notable sports figures — including Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr — have used their platforms over the past few days to advocate for action on gun violence.
On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees social media teams collaborated in an effort to raise awareness about gun violence in the United States. Throughout the game, teams posted identical facts — attributing where they got them — in concert with each other to their combined 4.25 million Twitter followers.