San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernicks recent decision to not stand during the national anthem as a way of protesting police killings of unarmed black men has drawn support and scorn far beyond sports. The Associated Press explains how The Star-Spangled Banner became a ritual of American public life, its complicated racial origins and how the song has been used as a form of political resistance.---THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AS A RITUAL OF AMERICAN SPORTThe national anthem and sports first merged in the early 20th century, when The Star-Spangled Banner became part of baseball games. The anthem is played before the start of every U.S. major sporting event, where fans and players are expected to salute the flag by placing a hand over the heart while singing along. Not doing so is considered unpatriotic by some. Its important to remember that a lot of these traditions that we take as timeless or dating back to the founders are pretty recent innovations, said Princeton University historian Kevin Kruse.---BLACK ATHLETES AND POLITICAL PROTESTKaepernicks protest was the latest in a history of actions by black athletes meant to call out the discrepancies between the experiences of people of color and Americas professed ideals.In 1968, Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos lifted their black-gloved fists as the national anthem was played after they won the gold and bronze medals in the mens 200-meter sprint -- a gesture seen as radical and an endorsement of black power. Boxer Muhammad Ali, celebrated as an American hero after his death in June, was arrested in 1967 after his refusal to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War was seen as an act of civil disobedience. Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, wrote in his autobiography that he was unable to sing the national anthem or salute the flag.Former Denver Nuggets point guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended by the NBA after refusing to participate in the national anthem pre-game ceremony in 1996. More recently, NBA players including Derrick Rose and LeBron James have worn T-shirts reading I Cant Breathe in reference to Eric Garner, who was killed by New York City police officers in 2014. Last month, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and James opened the ESPY Awards with a message about gun violence against minorities.The outrage were seeing in light of the Kaepernick decision ... is just another example of our countrys lack of a real understanding of what it means to be a person of color in the United States, said Penn State historian Crystal Sanders. Wealth, education, attire ... none of that prevents us from being victims of racial discrimination.---WHY THE CONTROVERSY?Kaepernicks decision has outraged some who see his protest as offensive and un-American. It is also an unwelcome distraction for those who view sports as a way to transcend conflicts around race, gender, politics and other uncomfortable subjects in American life. Others have come to his defense, saying his decision to sit out the national anthem and flag salute is protected as freedom of expression under the U.S. Constitution.---HOW THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER WAS BORNWatching the bombing of Fort McHenry while detained on a British ship during the War of 1812, attorney Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star-Spangled Banner as he saw the American flag flying overhead in the early morning hours of Sept. 14, 1814. The flags presence signaled the retreat of British ships from Baltimores harbor and the U.S. survival of a battle that lasted 25 hours. The showdown galvanized the young country and the flag became a symbol of determination and victory.The Star-Spangled Banner was popular among the branches of the armed forces throughout the 19th century, but more than a century would pass before the song would become the national anthem. President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order declaring it so in 1916, and Congress passed an act confirming the order in 1931 that was signed into law by President Herbert Hoover the same year.---CONTROVERSIAL THIRD VERSEKey supported slavery and came from a powerful plantation family in Maryland. His background may have influenced the songs third verse, which includes the lyrics, No refuge could save the hireling and slave/From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave. These words have been interpreted as a reference to the Colonial Marines, black recruits to the British forces who fought in exchange for their freedom. Kaepernicks objection to saluting the flag was not related to the third verse of the national anthem, but his protest has brought fresh attention to this forgotten stanza.---Errin Haines Whack covers urban affairs for The Associated Press. Follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emarvelous and read more of her work at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/errin-haines-whack . Trevor Ariza Jersey . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. Kyle Guy Kings Jersey . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. https://www.kingslockerroom.com/Skal-Labissiere-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Harrison Barnes Jersey . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Caleb Swanigan Jersey . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. College footballs bowl season is finally here, and plenty of NFL talent evaluators will be watching to see how some of the top prospects perform. Here are the names to know from every bowl game, as the countdown to the 2017 NFL draft continues.?All times Eastern; once games have been played, theyll be moved to the bottom of the story.DEC. 21San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia BowlBYU vs. Wyoming?(9 p.m., ESPN)Kiper:?Chase Roullier, C, Wyoming. My No. 9-ranked center, Roullier?has?also played some guard. At 6-4, 313 pounds, that versatility is huge for the next level.DEC. 22Famous Idaho Potato BowlIdaho vs. Colorado State?(7 p.m., ESPN)McShay: Kevin Davis, ILB, Colorado State.?Davis leads the Rams with 101 tackles this season and has shown a lot of playmaking ability (9.5 TFLs and four forced fumblees).dddddddddddd He doesnt have great speed, but at 6-2 and 235 pounds, hes a really good tackler.DEC. 23Popeyes Bahamas BowlEastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion?(1 p.m., ESPN)Kiper:?Pat OConnor, DE, Eastern Michigan. With eight sacks and five forced fumbles this season, OConnor, a team captain, was one of the best edge rushers in the Mid-American Conference.Lockheed Martin Armed Forces BowlLouisiana Tech vs. No. 25?Navy?(4:30 p.m., ESPN)McShay: Trent Taylor, WR, Louisiana Tech.?At 5-8, 178, Taylor is likely just a slot receiver at the next level, but hes shown the ability to consistently get open. Taylor has 124 catches so far this season, 52 more than his next-best teammate. ' ' '