Sports Illustrated ‘Protest’ Cover Has Everyone Asking: Where’s Kaepernick?

Backlash is brewing on social media after Sports Illustrated unveiled its 'protest.'

The cover text of Sports Illustrated’s latest issue reads: “A Nation Divided, Sports United.” The photo illustration, all red, white, black and blue, depicts athletes, team owners and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell linked together in apparent defiance of President Trump’s comments that football players who protest police brutality during the national anthem are “sons of b-tches” who should be “fired.”

But the reaction to what some have denounced as an “anti-Trump” cover has been largely negative, even for those who support player protests. Multiple users noted that Colin Kaepernick, the former 49ers quarterback who launched anthem kneeling into the national consciousness, is notably missing from the cover. Others, including SB Nation, note that the cover misses the point of why the protests exist in the first place. Finally, the WNBA, members of which have been protesting throughout the last year, is represented by only one woman athlete on the cover.

What do you think? Take a look at some of the online reactions below, and add your own on our Facebook page.

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