performing the national anthem at a sporting event necessarily politicizes that event sportswriter charles pierce argues sports illustrated cover makes powerful show of unity over the weekend the issue we focus on at rise became the biggest story in the country when the president publicly scathed rise to vote it is hard to deny that colin kaepernick picked an excellent method to raise awareness to racial inequalities and injustice it is time to come together and finish what colin kaepernick started the president used her husbands name to criticize athletes who sit out the national anthem widow of former nfl player who died in combat rebukes donald trump