There becomes a time in which a man must decide his stance on a particular subject, whether to stand up, or fear standing out, so he can stand firm in what he believes, what he knows is the right thing to do, no matter the cost.
On Thursday night, opening day for the 2020 MLB season, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 8-1, but that was not what got the publicity.
Instead, it was a display of courage and strong Christian faith that set off fires across the country and all over social media, dividing families and friends when the topic of “baseball” came up. Sports used to be an outlet for people, a place they could get away from the stresses of life, from staunch political divides, when their favorite team walked onto the field. For a good nine innings, everything could be forgotten.
Now, it has only inflamed the dumpster fire that has continued on in our country, as two sides stand completely divided. A compromise could still be worked out, but as long as instances like what happened following Thursday’s game continues, it will take a long time to reach that point in our nation.
Prior to the first pitch of the west coast showdown, each player and coach from both the Giants and Dodgers-except for one-took a knee and held a black rope, protesting racial injustices in our country, while a speech, written by Andrew McCutchen of the Philadelphia Phillies, was read aloud by Morgan Freeman.
That “one” was Giants closer Sam Coonrod. Despite knowing he would face harsh criticism from the mainstream media, that he would anger fans and even possibly team management, Coonrod took a stand. He truly showed, by both his actions and words, that he is playing for an audience of One.
“I don’t think I’m better than anybody,” Coonrod told reporters. “I’m just a Christian. I don’t believe I can kneel for anything but God, Jesus Christ. I can’t get on board with a couple of things I’ve read about Black Lives Matter, how they lean towards Marxism and said some negative things about the nuclear family.”
Peer pressure quickly set in, especially on social media. While it seems it is ok for players to disrespect the flag by kneeling during the national anthem, at least according to the mainstream media, Coonrod was blasted for choosing to stand. Just as the players kneeling are taking a knee for their personal beliefs, Coonrod was standing for his personal beliefs. For him, like many Christians, he will not bend a knee for anything, for anyone, but God.
The beauty of America is that the bill of rights applies to EVERYONE, so just as those kneeling have been respected for kneeling, Coonrod most certainly should be respected for standing. That is not the way many see it, instead, they have labeled Coonrod as many things, including someone who “hides behind his religion” (Sports Illustrated). Not to mention, his Twitter account was suspended. When was the last time a player who kneeled had his or her Twitter account suspended? WNBA teams are now running off the court during the national anthem. Are they facing the backlash that Coonrod is facing? Absolutely not. If anything, they are being praised by the majority, with a small group objecting to the action. This is yet another example of the complete double standard the media and Democrat politicians have built, portraying a Christian man, standing for the flag, kneeling only for God, as a horrible American, and insensitive person.
None of this has to do with my opinion of those who do decide to kneel. I haven’t lost my respect for Adam Wainwright or Aaron Judge because he kneeled. However, there is a huge difference between players like Wainwright and players like Mookie Betts. Wainwright does not kneel during the national anthem, while Betts and others do. That is where it crosses the line for me. Peaceful protesting is one thing, disrespecting our flag and our country is another.
Rather, this has everything to do with each person’s first amendment rights being respected, regardless of individual opinions. Coonrod has as much reason to stand as anyone else has to kneel. It doesn’t mean everyone has to agree, but he does have to be respected. This is religious persecution right here, in America, shunning someone for not following the majority.
It is easy to take a stand with a group, but Coonrod’s strength and foundation of faith to be the only one to stand, even when it is not popular, speaks volumes about his character. Even when it is not respected by all. Even when he was labeled by people who had never even heard him say one word. As a Christian, he does not just talk the talk, he walks the walk. It takes great strength to stand out, to stand up, in our world today. But because he did so, Coonrod is now an inspiration to many. For as many fans as he lost on Thursday, he gained that many more.
So as the mainstream media calls him “a man who hides behind his religion”, Coonrod is doing the opposite. And he has more courage than any of them. He is displaying his faith in Christ as No. 1 in his life, even if it were, and still could, to cost him his reputation, even his baseball career. He did not hide behind a television screen, he did not simply go with the majority out of fear of what others would say. He was bold, and he did not apologize. Why should he? It brings me to Wainwright’s words to the media on Friday, “Nobody can tell you how to protest. That’s the great thing about this country. The first amendment rights are protected for everyone”.
It is because of players like Coonrod that I will continue to watch baseball. That does not mean supporting the MLB and its stances on topics in today’s world. However, if players like Coonrod can stand up and stand firm in their faith, why should I pull out my support of these guys? And why is Coonrod’s form of protest perceived so differently in comparison to those who kneel?
I want to hear from you, the readers, the way you see Sam Coonrod’s decision on Thursday night. All opinions and thoughts are respected.
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