Why this photo of NFL cheerleaders has caused controversy

In what seems to be the first occurrence in NFL history, a cheerleader has taken a knee during the US national anthem.

The San Francisco 49ers cheerleader took a knee during the anthem prior to the clash against the Oakland Raiders, and it has since gone viral.

The cheerleader, who has not been identified, has not spoken publicly about her motives.

But it has since created a heated debate online:

“She needs to be fired. ASAP! All kneeling employees need to be fired. SIMPLE. Your on your job, not at a political event. Please stop supporting the NFL. If they choose to kneel, we can choose to turn the channel,” wrote @Abtl4l on Twitter.

“That took some courage. I’m wondering if it cost her that spot on the squad,” wrote @elaineroberts.

“Props to this 49er cheerleader. Thus far the NFL protests have been isolated to players. Many of the college football cheerleaders who have protested by taking a knee were cut from the squad, harassed, and threatened because of it,” wrote @kazweida.

First known NFL cheerleader protest

While many players have followed the lead of ousted quarterback Colin Kaepernick in taking a knee, this is the first known protest by a cheerleader.

Colin Kaepernick, who started the practice of protesting social injustice by kneeling during the anthem, last played for the 49ers in 2016.

He is still seeking NFL employment despite having proven himself as quarterback capable of starting in the league because of his decision to draw attention to police brutality and racial inequality.

An interview with NFL cheerleaders in 2017 by ELLE.com asked why they did not participate in the protests alongside players.

Some pointed to lack of support and fear of losing their positions in a climate where Kaepernick couldn’t find a job:

“It’s simply not the culture of cheering, they explained, and their captains wouldn’t have supported them. Also, since cheerleaders are often told how replaceable they are, they felt that they could very easily be fired for taking a stand,” the ELLE.com report read.

“One pointed out that even a talented, well-known player like Kaepernick essentially lost his job for making a statement. Few cheerleaders would be willing to take that risk.”

Other cheerleader protests in lower divisions

Cheerleaders at other levels of football have protested.

Five Kennesaw State cheerleaders who knelt during the national anthem before a 2017 football game were barred from the field during subsequent anthems under pressure from a Georgia state representative and sheriff who were “furious” about the protests.

School president Sam Olens eventually reinstated field access to the “Kennesaw Five.”

“While I believe there are more effective ways to initiate an exchange of ideas on issues of national concern, the right to exercise one’s Freedom of Speech under the First Amendment must be protected,” Olens wrote in a letter.

Four of the cheerleaders didn’t make the squad in 2018.

An image of Georgia Tech dancer Raianna Brown went viral in 2017 after she knelt during the anthem before a game.

She continued to protest for the rest of the season.

with Jason Owens – Yahoo Sports US.