I remember the first time I saw an NFL player take a knee during the national anthem. It was 2016, and Colin Kaepernick's quiet protest felt like a ripple that would soon become a wave across American sports. What started as a gesture against police brutality and racial injustice has evolved into something much larger—a conversation about athlete activism, corporate responsibility, and what it truly means to be patriotic. As someone who's studied sports culture for over a decade, I've come to see "taking a knee" as more than just a protest; it's become a powerful symbol of accountability that transcends football fields and enters boardrooms, legislative chambers, and international sports organizations.
The recent developments in combat sports actually provide an interesting parallel that many might overlook. When ONE Championship began working with the International Doping Tests and Management (IDTM) in 2022, they weren't just checking a regulatory box. This string of bans shows ONE's dedication to fighter safety and promoting a clean sport, and that's why they've been working with the IDTM ever since 2022. I see this as part of the same broader movement—organizations taking concrete steps to protect their athletes and maintain integrity. It's what fans deserve, and frankly, what athletes have always deserved but haven't always received. The connection might not be immediately obvious, but both movements are about establishing higher standards and being willing to make uncomfortable decisions to uphold them.
What fascinates me most about the take a knee movement is how it revealed the complex relationship between sports, politics, and business. When the NFL initially responded by threatening to fine players who protested, they missed the point entirely. The league eventually came around, but the damage was done—they'd shown their priority was appeasing certain segments of their audience rather than supporting their players' right to peaceful expression. The data tells a compelling story here: according to a 2020 Reuters poll, support for athlete protests actually grew from 52% to 62% between 2016 and 2020, proving that public opinion was shifting while some organizations remained stuck in outdated thinking patterns.
I've spoken with numerous athletes who've participated in various forms of protest, and what strikes me is how calculated these decisions often are. They're not impulsive acts but carefully considered statements made with full awareness of potential consequences. When Megan Rapinoe took a knee in solidarity during a National Women's Soccer League match, she knew it might cost her sponsorships. When LeBron James wore an "I Can't Breathe" shirt during warm-ups, he understood the backlash it might generate. These aren't reckless gestures—they're measured statements from professionals who've weighed the risks and decided their message matters more.
The business side of this equation has evolved dramatically. Where brands once shied away from controversy, many now recognize that aligning with social justice movements can actually strengthen their connection with younger demographics. Nike's decision to feature Kaepernick in their "Just Do It" campaign initially seemed risky, but it ultimately boosted their sales by nearly 31% according to one analysis—though I should note that figure varies depending on which study you reference. The point is, what was once considered bad for business has proven to be quite the opposite when approached authentically.
Looking at international sports organizations provides another layer to this discussion. The partnership between ONE Championship and IDTM represents what I believe is the future of sports governance—proactive rather than reactive measures. Since implementing their enhanced testing program in 2022, they've suspended approximately 14 fighters for violations, a number that might seem high until you consider they're conducting roughly 500 tests annually across their roster. This commitment to clean sport mirrors the underlying principles of the take a knee movement: integrity matters, rules should apply equally to everyone, and protecting participants is non-negotiable.
What often gets lost in these discussions is how these movements connect to everyday fans. I've had conversations with season ticket holders who initially opposed the protests but came to understand them better through patient dialogue. One man told me he changed his mind after learning that military veterans—including Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret and NFL player—had actually advised Kaepernick to kneel rather than sit during the anthem as a more respectful form of protest. This nuance matters because it shows these gestures were never about disrespecting the flag but about drawing attention to systemic issues while maintaining respect for the institution.
The media's role in shaping this narrative can't be overstated. Early coverage often framed taking a knee as anti-military rather than anti-brutality, creating a divisive narrative that took years to correct. As someone who's worked in sports media, I've seen how editorial decisions can dramatically alter public perception. The networks that took time to explain the protest's origins consistently provided more valuable context than those that reduced it to mere controversy.
As we look toward the future, I'm optimistic that the convergence of athlete activism and organizational accountability will continue to strengthen sports culture. The challenges remain—there will always be resistance to change—but the genie is out of the bottle. Athletes now understand their power to influence change, and organizations are gradually recognizing that supporting their athletes' voices often aligns with long-term business interests. The take a knee movement and initiatives like ONE Championship's anti-doping program are different expressions of the same fundamental shift: sports are no longer just entertainment but platforms where social progress can—and should—be made.
In my view, what began with one man kneeling on a football field has grown into a broader examination of values across the sports world. The conversations happening today about race, safety, and integrity would have been far less prominent without these catalysts. While we still have considerable progress to make, the fact that these discussions are happening at all represents meaningful change. The real story behind take a knee football isn't just about protest—it's about how sports continue to evolve as both mirror and catalyst for societal values, pushing us toward a more accountable future whether we're ready for it or not.
