There are few things more quintessentially American than baseball. Perhaps apple pie, perhaps Kentucky bourbon, and perhaps widely available and very effective rifles all slightly edge it out, but, other than those few exceptions, baseball tops the list.
And so it was awesome when Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner showed up for the game against the Giants rocking an American flag, taking the field with one draped over his shoulders.
Watch that video here:
Repping the red, white, and blue. pic.twitter.com/EY0hJMRjY7
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 4, 2022
Many online were excited to see an athlete proud to be associated with America and the flag, something that has been lacking since Colin Kapernick started kneeling in protest of the flag and America at games, making respect for the flag seem to many like something of a racial issue.
Since then, though few athletes are as overtly anti-American as Kaepernick or other anthem-protesters and America bashers like Brittney Griner, few athletes have staunchly stood by the flag and proudly displayed their patriotism, as they’re obviously worried about social opprobrium for doing so or of being labeled a “racist” by some flag-burning blue hair.
Drew Brees, for example, attacked those who disrespect the American flag, saying in a video released on Twitter that he would “never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country”.
That was a bold step, though one that he quickly backtracked on after the left went berserk at the idea that anyone would dare remain openly patriotic in the face of their overt hostility to the flag and nation.
And so he apologized and backtracked in a humiliating Instagram post, saying:
I would like to apologize to my friends, teammates, the City of New Orleans, the black community, NFL community and anyone I hurt with my comments yesterday. In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused.
In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country. They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy. Instead, those words have become divisive and hurtful and have misled people into believing that somehow I am an enemy. This could not be further from the truth, and is not an accurate reflection of my heart or my character.
He then proceeded to recite all the many chanted litanies of the new leftist religion, continuing the post by saying:
This is where I stand:
I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference.
I condemn the years of oppression that have taken place throughout our black communities and still exists today.
I acknowledge that we as Americans, including myself, have not done enough to fight for that equality or to truly understand the struggles and plight of the black community.
I recognize that I am part of the solution and can be a leader for the black community in this movement.
I will never know what it’s like to be a black man or raise black children in America but I will work every day to put myself in those shoes and fight for what is right.
I have ALWAYS been an ally, never an enemy.
I am sick about the way my comments were perceived yesterday, but I take full responsibility and accountability. I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening…and when the black community is talking about their pain, we all need to listen.
For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness..”
In other words, he backed down completely, disappointing many fans who hoped to see even one athlete grow a spine and cheer the flag. Well, finally one has done so: Madison Bumgarner.
By: Gen Z Conservative, editor of GenZConservative.com. Follow me on Facebook and Subscribe to My Email List
