BUFFALO, N.Y. — Former Alabama Crimson Tide standout and current Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio recently weighed in on the NFL’s National Anthem controversy and stated that he has too much pride in his country to kneel down during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
“I can’t kneel during the anthem,” Kouandjio said to The Buffalo News. “I don’t blame Colin Kaepernick for doing what he did. But for me, I have too much respect for a flag and anthem that represent freedom and liberty.”
NFL players across the country have followed Kaepernick’s lead and have knelt during the National Anthem to symbolize their protest of perceived racial inequalities. The protests have even made their way to The University of Alabama student section, where a group of students known as “#BamaSits” has protested for the same reason.
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As for Kouandjio, he was recently naturalized as a citizen and could not be happier to be an American. “I’m a Christian, and I feel like the forefathers of this country build this constitution around Christian values – Christian values like freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” he told the Buffalo media. “And I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
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During his time with the Crimson Tide, Kouandjio racked up an extensive resume that included two BCS National Championships (2011, 2012), one SEC Championship (2012), a consensus first-team spot on the All-American team (2013), and a unanimous spot on the All-SEC team (2013). He has played in the NFL since the 2014 season, and he was selected by the Buffalo Bulls with the forty-fourth overall pick in the draft.
