NASCAR: Tony Stewart Unleashes Controversial Tweet To Kaepernick

It’s not too often that NASCAR and the NFL cross paths. However that is what has happened in the wake of Colin Kaepernick choosing not to stand during the National Anthem last week.

For those living under a rock, San Francisco 49’ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is in the news for not standing during the National Anthem of the 49’ers third NFL preseason game. This is actually the third time this preseason that Kaepernick has done it but last week’s game was the first time that it was noticed. After the game Kapernick spoke about why he did it and since then the world has been reacting.

Three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart joined the rest of the world when he also reacted to what Kaepernick did. Stewart took to Twitter to blast Kaepernick.

While blasting Kaepernick is by no means controversial (several others are as well), the reason for which Stewart seems to be upset is different than the current commentary others are providing.

Following the incident Kaepernick was asked by the media about why he did what he did. Although he did not bring the matter up, he obliged and answered the questions.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.There are a lot things that are going on that are unjust. People aren’t being held accountable for. And that’s something that needs to change. That’s something that this country stands for freedom, liberty and justice for all. And it’s not happening for all right now."

While Kaepernick’s stand is based in real issues, many have attacked him for the method in which he tried to get his message across.

Stewart on the other hand doesn’t seem to be going after him for that. Stewart seems to be standing up for the police which is an interesting side to take. Obviously both men have the right to say and do what they want. While Kaepernick’s platform might not have been the best, he at least was standing up for several lives that have been lost at the hands of police in recent months.

Although it’s hard to gain complete context from a single tweet, it would seems as though Stewart is challenging the notion that Kaepernick even has a cause to stand up for in the first place. Kaepernick might not understand what police officers go through to do their job, but there is something to be said for the recent deaths of black men at the hands of law enforcement.

While I don’t agree with what Kaepernick did, I do agree that there is an issue in America that not everyone is 100 percent willing to address. It would seem as though NASCAR’s Tony Stewart might not agree that there is that sort of an issue at hand in America right now.

It will be interesting to see if Stewart expands on his tweet and further expresses his thoughts on the matter. While I have all the respect in the world for Stewart on the track, I would be the first to admit that it would be concerning if he didn’t understand that we live in a country where there is hate and judgement. At the end of the day Kaepernick did a disrespectful thing (in my opinion) to stand up for that hatred and mistreatment that happens in our country each and everyday.

Can you really bash him for wanting all lives to be viewed equally by all others? Sure, you can bash him for sitting during the National Anthem, but can you for the issue that he was trying to further bring to the forefront?

must read: UPDATE: Stewart Dumped By Insurance Company In Lawsuit

As you can imagine, the response in Twitter to Stewart’s comments has been a mixed bag. Where do you fall? Are you with Stewart on this or against him? Comment below and let us know what you think.