Megan Rapinoe Explains Her National Anthem Protest on the Players' Tribune

United States women's national team midfielder Megan Rapinoe provided further context Thursday about her decision to support the movement of not standing for the American national anthem, which was sparked by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Although numerous athletes have followed Kaepernick's lead in recent months, Rapinoe's decision garnered additional nationwide attention because she knelt during the anthem while representing the United States for international friendlies against Thailand and the Netherlands in September.

The 31-year-old playmaker wrote a piece for the Players' Tribune in which she explained that she's never faced the issues of "over-policing, racial profiling, police brutality or the sight of a family member's body lying dead in the street," but she felt the need to take a public stance anyway:

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I can understand if you think that I'm disrespecting the flag by kneeling, but it is because of my utmost respect for the flag and the promise it represents that I have chosen to demonstrate in this way. When I take a knee, I am facing the flag with my full body, staring straight into the heart of our country's ultimate symbol of freedom — because I believe it is my responsibility, just as it is yours, to ensure that freedom is afforded to everyone in this country.

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It's a choice that's met some backlash. Graham Hays of ESPN.com passed along a statement U.S. Soccer released during the match against Thailand:

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Representing your country is a privilege and honor for any player or coach that is associated with U.S. Soccer's National Teams. Therefore, our national anthem has particular significance for U.S. Soccer. In front of national and often global audiences, the playing of our national anthem is an opportunity for our Men's and Women's National Team players and coaches to reflect upon the liberties and freedom we all appreciate in this country. As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the national anthem is played.

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Rapinoe hasn't backed off the protests, however, which she also performed while playing for the Seattle Reign of the National Women's Soccer League. She wrote in the Players' Tribune that it's important to have "difficult and complex" conversations about the issues facing the country.

"I know that actions must be taken to help bring about real change," the midfielder said. "Right now, I am reaching out to community leaders, corporate partners and leaders within the Black Lives Matter movement to figure out all the ways I can best support the efforts already in motion."

Kaepernick has spearheaded the effort to elevate concerns about racial injustice and police violence into the mainstream conversation. His place at the forefront of the discussion since refusing to stand for the anthem during the NFL preseason in August landed him on the cover of Time magazine:

Like Rapinoe, the 49ers quarterback stated the decision is based on doing what he believes is right for those without a public voice, per Steve Wyche of NFL.com.

"This is not something that I am going to run by anybody," Kaepernick said. "I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right."

Rapinoe's club campaign with the Reign is over, but the U.S. women's national team is scheduled to play a pair of friendlies against Switzerland in late October. The decision about whether to call her into the squad for those matches after the prior protests will likely generate a lot of discussion.