Giants’ Pitcher Refuses to Take a Knee During Anthem, Says He Will Only Kneel Before God
By Cooper Dowd, Contributing Writer
The San Francisco Giants relief pitcher, Sam Coonrod, stood alone during a moment of silence meant to honor the Black Lives Matter movement in the season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
As coaches and players from both sides kneeled, Coonrod remained standing. When reporters questioned him post-game, Coonrod cited his Christian faith in God as the reason for his actions.
“I’m a Christian,” Coonrod told TMZ Sports. “So I just believe that I can’t kneel before anything besides God.”
The MLB also provided players with a black-colored ribbon to hold and show solidarity as they knelt before the game began.
“I don’t think I’m better than anybody,” Coonrod said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “I’m just a Christian… I feel if I did kneel I’d be a hypocrite. I don’t want to be a hypocrite.”
Coonrad also voiced some concerns about the Black Lives Matter organization.
“I just can’t get on board with a couple of things I’ve read about Black Lives Matter, how they lean toward Marxism,” Coonrod said. “And… they said some negative things about the nuclear family. I just can’t get on board with that.
“I’m not mad at someone who decided to kneel. I just don’t think it’s too much to ask that I just get the same respect,” Coonrod added.
The San Francisco Giants’ Team manager Gabe Kapler said that he respected Coonrod’s decision.
“We were going to give them the choice on whether they were going to stand, kneel or do something else,” Kapler said. “That was a personal decision for Sam.”
Coonrad is very open about his faith both on and off the field. In his instagram bio, the 27-year-old’s Instagram, cites John 3:3, which reads:
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
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