Looking at social media reaction to controversial 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick maintaining his Black Lives Matter protest against the National Anthem during a military appreciation night in San Diego, on Friday’s NBC Today, co-host Carson Daly skewed the segment toward messages of support for the NFL player: “Yeah, there very much are two sides...His decision has many people on social media quite divided.”
After reading one tweet blasting Kaepernick for being “disrespectful to your country,” the remaining three tweets all voiced support. Daly touted: “And of course on the other side of the fence is Julius, writing, ‘C’mon, Kaepernick not standing for the anthem doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about America, it means he cares enough to say something is wrong.’”
While mentioning that “Some thought Kaepernick’s move was particularly offensive to veterans,” Daly dismissed that perspective by claiming: “But the #VeteransForKaepernick has held pretty strong this week, showing a lot of support from troops like Mike, when they write, ‘After a lot of thought, I realized that this is the exact thing I swore to defend. Freedom.’”
He made sure end on this note from yet another Kaepernick supporter: “No matter what your stance is, Kevin here makes the broader point that ‘We would have watched the game last night but Kaepernick taking a knee is accomplishing more than he's being given credit for. We're all talkin!’”
Co-host Matt Lauer agreed whole heartedly with that sentiment: “I think that last tweet you mentioned is true. I mean it is – everybody’s talking about this and discussion is healthy.” Fellow co-host Savannah Guthrie chimed in: “Yeah, and you know what? There are more than two sides. There’s a lot of nuance. So it’s a good conversation to have.”
<<< Please consider helping NewsBusters financially with your tax-deductible contribution today >>>
<<< Thank you for your support! >>>
In a earlier report about Kaepernick’s latest anti-American stunt, correspondent Jo Ling Kent informed viewers: “Kaepernick continuing his protest against racial injustice and police brutality by once again not standing during the National Anthem. This time joined by teammate Eric Reid.”
A soundbite followed of Kaepernick ranting: “We have a lot of people that are oppressed. We have a lot of people that aren't treated equally, aren't given equal opportunities. Police brutality is a huge thing that needs to be addressed.”
Moments later, Kent noted that he was “also drawing criticism from the head of a police organization after photos surfaced of him wearing socks depicting the police as cartoon pigs.” However, she quickly cited Kaepernick justifying the offensive display: “Kaepernick responded to the controversy on Instagram, saying he wore socks during practice last month because, quote, ‘the rogue cops that are allowed to hold positions in police departments not only put the community in danger but also put the cops that have the right intentions in danger.’”
Both ABC’s Good Morning America and CBS This Morning also covered Kaepernick’s latest tantrum, though the segments were more balanced. On GMA, correspondent Kayna Whitworth highlighted:
And now the quarterback sparking new controversy, for wearing these socks showing police officers as pigs. Those scandalous socks drawing criticism from law enforcement officials across the country. Police in Vermont tweeting, “Wealthy, privileged person's free speech dehumanizes an entire group of human beings. Sound familiar, #Kaepernick?”
On This Morning, correspondent Carter Evans reported:
CARTER EVANS: This week, photos surfaced showing the quarterback wearing socks with cartoon pigs dressed as police. He responded Thursday on Instagram: “I wore these socks because the rogue cops, not only put the community in danger, but also put the cops that have the right intentions in danger in dangers.” Kaepernick's post has already prompted a loud national debate.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: It’s extremely disrespectful. He shouldn't be playing football. He shouldn't be doing that if you can’t at least stand up for your country.
Neither ABC nor CBS promoted #VeteransForKaepernick.
Here is a full transcript of the September 2 Daly segment on NBC:
7:50 AM ET
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: We're back at 7:50 with both sides of a controversy we've been covering all week. And Carson’s over in the Orange Room.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Kaepernick Controversy; Anthem Protest Causes Stir Online]
CARSON DAY: Yeah, there very much are two sides, Savannah. Ahead of the match-up between 49ers and Chargers Thursday night, all eyes of course on Colin Kaepernick, as he refused to stand for the anthem yet again. As we mentioned earlier in the show, Kaepernick is protesting the anthem to take a stance against racial injustice and police brutality in our country.
His decision has many people on social media quite divided. Here's a take from Bradon, who says, “There are more ways to address a problem than being disrespectful to your country. I have no respect for Kaepernick.” And of course on the other side of the fence is Julius, writing, “C’mon, Kaepernick not standing for the anthem doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about America, it means he cares enough to say something is wrong.”
Some thought Kaepernick’s move was particularly offensive to veterans. But the #VeteransForKaepernick has held pretty strong this week, showing a lot of support from troops like Mike, when they write, “After a lot of thought, I realized that this is the exact thing I swore to defend. Freedom.”
No matter what your stance is, Kevin here makes the broader point that “We would have watched the game last night but Kaepernick taking a knee is accomplishing more than he's being given credit for. We're all talkin!”
49ers regular season game kicks off September 12th, and as mentioned earlier, Kaepernick does plan to hold strong with his protest. Guys?
MATT LAUER: I think that – I’m sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt – but I think that last tweet you mentioned is true. I mean it is – everybody’s talking about this and discussion is healthy.
GUTHRIE: Yeah, and you know what? There are more than two sides. There’s a lot of nuance. So it’s a good conversation to have. Carson, thank you.
