Former NFL long snapper and Army Green Beret Nate Boyer, who stood beside Colin Kaepernick during the anthem protest in 2016, says he continues to view the action as patriotic. He argues that the backlash he and others faced—described as intense “vitriol”—is more disrespectful than the protest itself.
In the reporting, Boyer also discusses the impact of corporate and public reactions years later. He recounts preparations for a season-long college football activation tour through his MVP (Merging Vets and Players) foundation, which supports veterans transitioning out of military service and into civilian life. Ahead of planned events around Ohio State’s home opener, Boyer says an announced sponsorship partner abruptly withdraws. He describes delays in communication and confirms the change after contacting a point person while he is traveling.
Across the outlets, the core focus is Boyer’s perspective on the anthem protest and the broader consequences he associates with it. One account emphasizes his continued interpretation of the protest as patriotism, while the other adds details about how his foundation’s sponsorship and planned tour are disrupted.
