Nate Boyer, a former NFL long snapper and U.S. Army Green Beret, recently opened up about his involvement in the controversial kneeling protest led by Colin Kaepernick. In a surprising twist, Boyer found himself facing backlash from a company that had previously sponsored his organization, MVP (Merging Vets and Players), which aims to assist veterans and former NFL players in their transition to civilian life. The company withdrew its sponsorship after learning of Boyer’s connection to Kaepernick, who began his protests during the national anthem in 2016.
“They suddenly stopped replying to emails,” Boyer recounted, expressing disbelief that years after Kaepernick's initial protest, there were still strong negative sentiments surrounding it. This incident occurred last August, nearly nine years after Kaepernick first took a knee to draw attention to racial injustice and police brutality in America.
Initially, Boyer was taken aback by Kaepernick's actions. As a veteran, he felt a personal connection to the flag and what it represents—honor, sacrifice, and freedom. However, as a lifelong fan of the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick was also a player he admired. Boyer’s perspective shifted after he listened to Kaepernick’s detailed explanation of his protest, which focused on the oppression of people of color in the United States.
“He talks about a lot of things, and one of the things he mentioned was that he had a lot of support for people in the military,” Boyer noted. Kaepernick's statement that he could not stand for a flag that represented oppression resonated with Boyer, who believed the protest could spark important conversations about social justice.
Despite his initial discomfort, Boyer recognized the potential for Kaepernick’s protest to foster dialogue. He later participated in a meeting with Kaepernick and 49ers safety Eric Reid, where they discussed how to protest without alienating military members. Boyer suggested that taking a knee could symbolize respect and reverence, leading to the now-iconic gesture that Kaepernick adopted during games.
However, the reception to the protest was overwhelmingly negative, with Boyer recalling the boos that erupted during the national anthem at a game where he stood in solidarity with Kaepernick and Reid. “I couldn’t believe a crowd would boo during the anthem because a couple of guys were kneeling for social justice,” he said, expressing disappointment at the vitriol directed towards the players.
As the controversy surrounding Kaepernick’s protest escalated, Boyer received mixed reactions from his military peers. Some supported Kaepernick’s right to protest, while others expressed anger over what they perceived as disrespect towards the flag. Boyer reflected on the complexity of the situation, noting that Kaepernick faced unprecedented backlash, particularly from political figures who misconstrued the protest as an affront to the military.
In the years following the protest, Kaepernick's NFL career ended abruptly, and he became deeply involved in social justice initiatives. Boyer, meanwhile, has continued to promote his MVP foundation and has taken on new projects, including a documentary about a World War II veteran. Despite the challenges, Boyer remains proud of his association with Kaepernick and hopes that future generations will view Kaepernick’s actions as an expression of patriotism.
Boyer concluded with a message of courage and respect, emphasizing the importance of standing up for what one believes in, even in the face of opposition. He hopes that Kaepernick's legacy will inspire others to engage in meaningful dialogue about social issues and strive for change.
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