Crisis in the NFL?

 

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What happened?

In 2016 the phrase "actions speak louder than words" became quite literal for the NFL. 

Colin Kaepernick is a former Quarterback turned Activist. Kaepernick made a social stance on inequality for African Americans in 2016 by silencing  himself during the National Anthem. With this silence came a knee. Rather than standing up and placing his heart over the National Anthem, Kaepernick got on one knee in protest to inequality and police brutality against the African America community.

With his own silence and movement, the NFL had come down into a media/public relations frenzy. As as lover of most sports and media, this story has always gained my interest. Had it been a total catastrophe or an eye opening moment for not only the NFL but the United States of America as well? With rising feelings and discrimination in America, Kaepernick peacefully made a decision that would impact the NFL ultimately, forever. 

More background information on Kaepernick here: Biography

Crisis on The Rising

In a crisis something big has gone wrong (13). Within PR an unknown publicity stunt is known to cause abrupt chaos. Taking on concept from our chapters would be Ethics in Public Relations (58). Working with the public means we work with ALL. Kaepernick included. With his fight for equality his decision to take a stance wasn't necessarily new for PR, but it was sudden. How does PR keep everybody happy in such a tight spot? Ethics in PR should always become relevant, but in this particular situation it became vital. Ultimately it became a war between Veterans and those who have been wronged by our own people, police for instance. 

NFL as an organization has worked effortlessly to keep not only their audiences included, but their players and employees as well. This goes along with how their attitudes have formed and encouraging behaviors. As an American sports team, there has to be a side chosen. The NFL chose to take a stance with the majority causing Kaepernick to quit.

Significance

With such a huge impact on not only the NFL,  America as a whole, Kaepernick's movement did not just affect the NFL. This also created drastic measures within the  PR industry. Public Relation firms were quick to act on social inequality and make sure that their companies were with the people rather than against. PR is for the people, keeping them in the loop and maintain a playing field. To this day, PR firms practice social equality and justice.