Nation On Its Knees

In America, sports stars taking a knee have been accused of disrespecting the flag, but the reverse is true — it’s helping patriotism to evolve and stay relevant

- Jacqui Oakley

It’s Super Bowl month: the grand finale of the NFL calendar, which means as you read this it’s very likely I’m neck deep in a vat of Budweiser with nachos crumbs and barbecue chicken wing sauce dripping down my chin. Say what you will about Americans’ sports, but they know how to snack.

January was going to be great. I was ready to tailgate — the finest of American sporting traditions, which happens in the stadium car park before every game — along with hundreds more vehicles; trunks open, music blaring, beer everywhere, like a car boot sale for drunks. Next, I’d watch my local college football team — 53,000 grown men and women screaming for university-age boys to beat the crap out of each other. Because who doesn’t like watching children get concussions while they’re trying to learn?