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Iowa OL Mark Kallenberger explains decision to kneel during national anthem

Kristian Dyer

By Kristian Dyer

Published:

Iowa’s Mark Kallenberger has taken the bold step to kneel during the national anthem this season, joining several of his teammates in doing so.

The Hawkeyes starting right tackle was asked this week during Iowa media availability why he was “one of the few White players to take a knee during the anthem.” Kallenberger said that his experience with several of his Black teammates, a couple of whom are roommates, impacted his decision to make a protest statement during the national anthem.

Among other ways of drawing attention to national issues, athletes in college and professional sports are kneeling during the national anthem as a protest mechanism to push for social justice.

“I’ve seen some stuff from those guys. Things aren’t right in the moment right now,” Kallenberger said.

“I have someone back home from Davenport, his name is Raekwon. He’s a really good family friend of ours. He’s like a brother to me, he grew up in kind of a crappy area. We brought him along into our family.

“It’s guys like that where I’ve seen them struggle so much throughout the years [so] I’ve taken it upon myself to take a knee.”

Kallenberger said he also reached out to a family friend currently serving in the military in Iraq about protesting the anthem. Kneeling during the anthem is a controversial issue and many opposed to that form of protest say that the action is disrespectful to the flag and those who have served in the military.

“He’s like ‘I’m all for it’ you know, go ahead and kneel,” Kallenberger said. He’s like ‘I appreciate you asking but America’s a little messed up right now and I think that’s something you should do’.”

Iowa, 1-2 on the year, plays at Minnesota, also 1-2, on Friday night.

Kristian Dyer