News

Gabe Kapler Temporarily Suspends Protest, Stands For Anthem on Memorial Day

San Fransisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler temporarily paused his national anthem protest for Memorial Day this week. Kapler wrote on his blog Monday about the importance of Memorial Day and his decision to stand “while I believe strongly in the right to protest and the importance of doing so, I also believe strongly in honoring and mourning our country’s servicemen and women who fought and died for that right. Those who serve in our military, and especially those who have paid the ultimate price for our rights and freedoms, deserve that acknowledgment and respect, and I am honored to stand on the line today to show mine.”

Kapler had been staying in the team’s locker room during the playing of the national anthem as a direct protest of the mass shootings that have occurred over the past few weeks.


“I don’t plan on coming out for the anthem going forward until I feel better about the direction of our country,” Kapler wrote. “I am not okay with the state of this country. I wish I hadn’t let my discomfort compromise my integrity. I wish that I could have demonstrated what I learned from my dad, that when you’re dissatisfied with your country, you let it be known through protest. The home of the brave should encourage this.”

His protest meet with backlash from both baseball fans and figures around the league. Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa has taken issue with Kapler’s protests calling them “inappropriate.” In a statement prior to the White Sox-Cubs matchup, La Russa said, “there’s a lot of problems in this country that need to be addressed. Where I disagree is that the flag and the anthem are not appropriate places to try to voice your objection.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Kapler has not decided on whether or not he will resume his protest, telling reporters, “The days move fast, we’re going to come out and talk about Giants and Phillies today and we’ll get into the game and then we’ll spend some time trying to get away from the game. Then the game starts the next day. I want to have my thoughts perfectly formulated. I will formulate them and I will share them. I just don’t have them right now.”

Noah Odige

Recent Posts

Los Angeles Chargers Center Bradley Bozman Defends QB Justin Herbert After Dangerous Hit

Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman stuck up for his quarterback Justin Herbert during last…

4 hours ago

VIDEO: Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis Says ‘Prized Possessions’ Stolen In Home Invasion

https://youtu.be/v4jY78n7Wnk Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis said his home in the Milwaukee suburb of River…

5 hours ago

Braves & Angels Start Off-Season With Splash, Announce Jorge Soler Trade Hours After World Series

The Atlanta Braves kicked off the MLB off-season with a bang Thursday, trading away veteran…

1 day ago

Broncos Coach Sean Payton Tells Panthers To ‘Play Better’ After Being Accused Of Running Up The Score

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton made sure to get his money’s worth as his…

1 day ago

Lakers’ Bronny James Scores First NBA Basket, Receives Ovation From Cleveland Crowd

Well on the way to a blowout defeat Wednesday night, Los Angeles Lakers head coach…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Consulate General Of Japan In L.A. Shouts-Out Japanese Players While Congratulating Dodgers On Their Win

https://youtu.be/hNWFWqqwEiA The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles congratulated the Dodgers on winning the…

2 days ago