As football fans across America can attest, the tone of the 2016 season has changed the precedent for social commentary in relation to the sport. Clips of heroic plays and game predictions have long served as the focus for football news, but have been accompanied by the talks of a phenomenon much more serious. Kneeling. Linking arms. Raising fists.

Colin Kaepernick, the once superstar quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has been benched this season—but not silenced—as he continues to make headlines for his actions on the sidelines. During a preseason game on Aug. 26, Kaepernick chose to sit during the national anthem and kneel in later games, expressing to the media that in light of recent episodes of police brutality and violence, he no longer feels responsible “to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” The action was visible and polarizing, precipitating countless displays of support and solidarity among fellow athletes in addition to scathing criticism, even death threats.

The focus of this debate is severely misguided, with most of the attention on Kaepernick’s physicality. While other gestures of respect have been contested, standing for the national anthem has been ingrained in our minds since childhood. During the 2016 Rio Olympics, U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas was blasted on social media for failing to put her hand over her heart. She didn’t have any political agenda. That’s why the discussion (although unwarranted) was focused on physical choice. However, unlike Douglas’ action, Kaepernick’s is meant to send a message. People should talk about it. But by focusing more on his stance than why he chose to kneel, we are being reductive of the issues and hindering the progress that Kaepernick means to promote.

How many of us have taken the time to understand Kaepernick’s motivations? What is the state of our nation and why is it alienating for so many of our citizens? It’s bigger than football. It’s bigger than Kaepernick. And it’s certainly bigger than taking a knee on the field.

He’s been called an attention-hog. A former star on the downward spiral, desperate for attention. According to Newsday, at a CBS event, commentator Boomer Esiason, who formerly praised Kaepernick for his dynamic playing, called his actions an “embarrassment.” What he hasn’t been called is a champion for justice. Instead, he’s a social pariah for standing up (or in his case, kneeling) for what he believes in. This isn’t a new occurrence. But when it happens in the public eye, the potential for change is so much greater. It would be a lost opportunity if we didn’t use Kaepernick’s protest as a vehicle to discuss the reform regarding race needed in this country, instead of discussing whether his choice is respectful or not.

By getting caught up in the symbol, we forget the action it represents. While we were focusing on kneeling, Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott were shot and killed within days of each other, more black lives marginalized by our law enforcement. In fact, according to the Guardian’s database, since Kaepernick’s protests began on Aug. 26, police have killed at least 15 black people. These incidents have served to silence some of Kaepernick’s critics, but more importantly have proved to us the gravity of his gesture and why it was even necessary to start a conversation. The more we focus on him, the more we lose the message he’s championing.

Even if it was about Kaepernick, facts have gotten lost in our sensationalist response. He isn’t attempting to disrespect our military. In response to an open letter from former Green Beret and free agent Nate Boyer in Army Times and a later conversation, Kaepernick began kneeling as opposed to sitting. Beyond protest, he’s facilitating change. USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan reported that Kaepernick has pledged to donate $1 million to advocacy groups contesting social inequality in the Bay Area, a pledge to be matched by his team. His choice has led to real impact. Should our discussion really be about whether he’s standing or not?

Kaepernick isn’t saying “focus on me” or “America sucks.” He, as any citizen should, is expressing his worry about the state of our nation. Maybe it took a kneel during the national anthem for people to recognize it.