San Francisco Giants coach Gabe Kapler made a strong statement last week following the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, penning an emotional blog post in which he said “I am not okay with the state of this country.” He would then go on to say that he would skip the national anthem before MLB games until he can “feel better about the direction of our country.”
While he’s received a lot of support over the stance, Kapler did receive pushback from Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa, who said that while the Giants manager is “exactly right to be concerned,” he disagreed with the idea of not standing for the national anthem out of respect for servicemen and women.
When asked if he planned to boycott the anthem before Monday’s Memorial Day game in Philadelphia, Kapler admitted that he might appear for the anthem given the meaning of that day.
“Memorial Day is an important day in our country’s history and a special day and a unique day,” Kapler said. “I find it to be one that deserves special attention.”
On Monday, Kapler penned a blog post to confirm that would stand for the national anthem for Memorial Day.
“Today, I’ll be standing for the anthem,” wrote Kapler. “While I believe strongly in the right to protest and the importance of doing so, I also believe strongly in honoring and mourning our country’s servicemen and women who fought and died for that right. Those who serve in our military, and especially those who have paid the ultimate price for our rights and freedoms, deserve that acknowledgment and respect, and I am honored to stand on the line today to show mine.”
The Giants’ manager also said he would be donating to two organizations. Everytown, an organization dedicated to ending gun violence, and Heart & Armor, an organization devoted to veteran health and linking the experience of veterans to civilians.