“Every time I place my hand over my heart and remove my hat, I’m participating in a self congratulatory glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place,” Kapler said.
On Friday, Gabe Kapler, the storied athlete who currently manages the San Francisco Giants, refused to attend the singing of the national anthem at Friday's game in protest after the school shooting in Uvalde, Tex. on Tuesday.
For Friday's opening game, only seven of the San Francisco Giants staff and players were out in the field for the playing of the United States national anthem.
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According to local news, Kapler said that he decided not to make any kind of gesture, because he didn't want to be misinterpreted, but rather just decided to not show up at all, adding that he was "not in [his] best place mentally" at the time.
"My brain said 'drop to a knee;' my body didn't listen. I wanted to walk back inside; instead, I froze. I felt like a coward. I didn't want to call attention to myself. I didn't want to take away from the victims or their families."
Kapler continued, expressing that he feels that the country isn't the same place in which he grew up:
"When I was the same age as the children in Uvalde, my father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn't. I don't believe it is representing us well right now."
"... Every time I place my hand over my heart and remove my hat, I'm participating in a self congratulatory glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place. On Wednesday, I walked out onto the field, I listened to the announcement as we honored the victims in Uvalde. I bowed my head. I stood for the national anthem. Metallica riffed on City Connect guitars."
Kapler went on, expressing his confusion about the whole issue, and how he feels he really doesn't know how to act in this situation, but he feels he needs to "protest:"
"... But I am not okay with the state of this country. I wish I hadn't let my discomfort compromise my integrity. I wish that I could have demonstrated what I learned from my dad, that when you're dissatisfied with your country, you let it be known through protest. The home of the brave should encourage this."
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