Colin Kaepernick is the most politically active of all second string quarterbacks. He made headlines over the weekend when he remained seated during the national anthem before a preseason NFL game: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.” The bigger National Anthem story is how professional sports has used the song to co-brand themselves with American patriotism. It’s one of the greatest marketing schemes in American history, and one that often puts brand before country. After all, who wants our national identity to be tied to preseason football?