Introduction
The Birmingham Bears are a professional football team located in Birmingham, Alabama. The team competes as part of the North American Football Association in the Southern division. The Bears have been a member of the NAFA since 1966. The Bears have been playing their home games at Bears Stadium since the beginning. The team was first owned by Jackson “Bear” Smith, who the team is also named after. The team now is under the direction of Smith’s son, Luke Smith.
Background Information
In 2016 the NAFA faced scrutiny after a player decided to kneel during the National Anthem. This was done in recognition of police brutality against people of color. This started a movement among the whole NAFA with more players kneeling and raising a fist during the anthem. This situation was heightened after statements were made by the former president of how kneeling during such a patriotic song is uncalled for. This did not stop the movement but rather seemed to push it harder forward as players continued to kneel, raise a fist, join hands and skip the anthem.
Mixed reactions targeted the NAFA. Fans of the game stood beside their favorite players to support them, while others decided to boycott the NAFA as a whole.
Current Situation for the NAFA
The murder of George Floyd sparked protests that also featured people kneeling in protests of police brutality. After the 2020 protest regarding Black Lives Matter and George Floyd, the NAFA has seen a rise in players not only kneeling but speaking out on these societal matters.
The NAFA used to have a policy that stated all players must be present for the performance of the anthem. This policy was amended after the original kneeling movement in 2016. The NAFA currently still has a rule that states players are prohibited from kneeling during the national anthem. The 2020 football season policy is as follows: “This season, all-league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem. Personnel who choose not to stand for the anthem may stay in the locker room until after the anthem has been performed.”
Current Situation for the Birmingham Bears
The Birmingham Bears recognizes the significance the kneeling movement holds in the NAFA. We as an organization wish to support our players’ ethics and morals while still holding the true meaning the national anthem shows for all Americans.
The NAFA has worked with the Players Coalition of the NAFA to address the responsibility of the program. The Bears follows along in this public service announcement and agree that "we have a responsibility to use our platforms to unite people and foster positive change in our communities, but we can't achieve that goal without education.”
The Bears will follow the policies layed out by the NAFA stating players can stay in the locker rooms as a form of peaceful protest. We, as a team, will not require players to pick a side, but to rather make their own decisions. However, we will support our players with whatever they decide to do.
Key Players
Colin Kaepernick, starter of the kneeling movement who now is a civil rights activist
Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NAFA
Ed Orgeron, spokesperson for the NAFA
Matt Alexander, leader of the Players Coalition of the NAFA
Joe Burrow, spokesperson for the Players Coalition of the NAFA
Luke Smith, owner of the Birmingham Bears
Jake Franklin, head coach of the Birmingham Bears
Drew Brees, starting quarterback for the Birmingham Bears who is planning to stay in the locker room
Sean Payton, starting wide receiver for the Birmingham Bears who is planning to stay in the locker room
Myles Brennan, starting running back for the Birmingham Bears who is planning to stay in the locker room
Ed Ingram, starting cornerback for the Birmingham Bears who is planning to stay in the locker room
Conclusion
The Bears stand beside our players who want to fight against racial injustice. We acknowledge that it is our responsibility to use the platform we’ve been given and we plan to do so with proper education. We also stand beside our fans who hold the national anthem and its meaning close to their hearts. This also falls under our responsibility to respect these traditions. Therefore, out of respect for all sides of this issue the national anthem will be played before every Bears football game and players are welcome to proceed however they wish as long as it falls within the NAFA policies.
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