Six athlete protests that changed history

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gold and bronze medalists in the 200-meter run at the 1968 Olympic Games, engage in a victory stand protest against unfair treatment of blacks in the United States. With heads lowered and black-gloved fists raised in the black power salute, they refuse to recognize the American flag and national anthem. Australian Peter Norman is the silver medalist. /

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Mandatory Credit: Sporting News via Getty Images /

Carlos Delgado

Colin Kaepernick wasn’t the first athlete to protest a patriotic anthem. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, many baseball teams started playing “God Bless America” during the seventh inning stretch. Ironically, one of those teams was the Toronto Blue Jays, who don’t even play their home games in the United States.

Blue Jays first baseman Carlos Delgado disagreed with the War in Iraq in 2004, so he refused to stand during “God Bless America”. He was the first major professional athlete to protest the war.

“I never stay outside for `God Bless America,'” Delgado said, via the Chicago Tribune. “I don’t [stand] because I don’t believe it’s right, I don’t believe in the war.”

Even though Delgado still stood during the National Anthem, his actions were heavily criticized. He was booed relentlessly by New York Yankees fans when the Blue Jays played at Yankee Stadium. After Delgado signed with the New York Mets in 2006, he began standing during the seventh inning stretch again.

Delgado is a strong advocate for his native country of Puerto Rico as well, often speaking passionately about his political beliefs and about the struggles of his country. Delgado serves as an excellent role model for kids and fellow athletes alike, and in many ways paved the way Kaepernick’s protest today.

Next: 1980 Summer Olympics