“I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag. I know that I am a black man in a white world.” Was that Colin Kaepernick remarking on his refusal to stand during a recent NFL preseason game? Nope. It was Jackie Robinson. CNN on the surprising history behind Colin Kaepernick’s protest.

+ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “Sam Kendricks was sprinting intently in the middle of his pole vaulting attempt when he heard the national anthem playing. He immediately dropped his pole and stood at attention, a spontaneous expression of heartfelt patriotism that elicited more praise than his eventual bronze medal. Last Thursday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick chose not to stand with his teammates during the national anthem … both men, in their own ways, behaved in a highly patriotic manner that should make all Americans proud.”

+ The Atlantic on the complexities of patriotism, from honoring the troops to playing professional sports. I have a slightly contrarian view of all this. I have a feeling no one really cares all that much about what Kaepernick does during the National Anthem, but we’re addicted to stories that can help us make conversation and take our minds off our own problems. It’s a big deal precisely because it’s no big deal.