I’ve said this time and time again, athletes are role models to the younger generation. The negative rhetoric from our President has once again affirmed my faith in our athletes. Across both the NBA and NFL we have seen the utmost positive responses. The reason this topic is so important to me is that I believe the most fundamental thing we possess as Americans relative to the rest of the world, even some of the most developed nations, is our First Amendment. It is something that allows the disenfranchised to speak, it allows those who are underrepresented to stand up with one another and make their voices heard, and it lets athletes go against the societal norms of patriotism to show disdain for the direction of our country. That right is a fundamental right for everything American, and Mr. President you seem to fail to understand that. I will be taking a knee with our fellow athletes this season in respect not only for their desire to discuss the importance of social injustice in our black communities, but also I will be taking a knee as that is the right thing to do to protect our freedom of speech.