Today I watched some football players take a knee – and it wasn’t what you might think. You might have seen a lot of other players kneel during the national anthem, lock arms, not participate, or take a stand in another way during today’s NFL games.
The symbols of football, patriotism, the national anthem, free speech, and team spirit are stirring passions in our country. It isn’t easy for us to be one nation 
indivisible right now. But I saw something this afternoon that reminded me of a generous spirit that underlies team sports many times – concern for others.
My son likes to play flag football. In today’s game a boy on the other team (blue) got hurt and wasn’t standing up. The coach for my son’s team (red) immediately said “take a knee” and the team knelt and looked on toward the hurt boy. All the kids on both teams stayed kneeling until the injured boy stood up and walked off the field at which point the players applauded and stood.
It took my breath away to see these young boys kneeling in support of a fellow player on the same day that the pride and controversy, and solidarity and divisiveness, of kneeling NFL players was sweeping the land.
I frequently think about whom I wish to support as role models for my sons. They do like to watch and play both football and basketball. (Sadly they haven’t ever been interested in baseball. Summers at Wrigley field with my grandpa are treasured memories for me.) Many athletes dedicate themselves to charitable causes. Lebron James is one of the most generous. His foundation spends at least one million dollars a year supporting education. Steph Curry partners with the UN on Nothing But Nets – a campaign that aims to bring protective nets to millions of people around the world who are prone to the mosquito-borne disease malaria. There are countless other examples.
We all may have different opinions about whether or not athletes and other celebrities should use their position in the spotlight to take a political stance. I don’t think anyone minds when those same famous people use their fame to garner donations to relief efforts such as those after the hurricanes.
Shouldn’t we all take a stand for what we believe in? How do we do that in a way that is respectful and yet clear? How should I talk with my sons about fighting for what they believe in? How do we teach our children values? It’s complex.
I’m grateful that the conversation is in the national limelight and I hope that families are having honest, productive talks about the issues. I’m afraid that the discussion is heated and not very respectful in some corners. However, seeing the boys kneel today reminded me of all the wonderful aspects of team sports, including: sportsmanship, effort, learning to lose, learning to give the chance to make points to someone else, sharing the spotlight, moving the self out of the center for the team, discipline, fun, meeting new people, developing physical skill, working toward a goal, being willing to depend on others, and pausing everything when someone is hurt.