Does NFL need Colin Kaepernick back in league to achieve racial justice goals?
Attitudes in the NFL are clearly shifting on player protests. But where does that leave former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick? After all, he began to protest police brutality and other racial and social injustices in 2016 by taking a knee during the national anthem.
Protests have been staged across the country following the shooting deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Rayshard Brooks. Words and actions in support of ending racial inequality have been widespread in the NFL the past few weeks – even from the league itself.
But Kaepernick, who was trying to draw attention to these issues, has not been on an NFL team since that 2016 season.
Our Jarrett Bell believes that to make true progress, the NFL needs to right its past wrongs against the QB. Many others in the sports world feel the same, as athletes and coaches shared their thoughts on Kaepernick:
- ‘We’ve got to do something’: NFL QBs drastically shift tone on racial justice after George Floyd’s death.
- Malcolm Jenkins: Saints DB said NFL won't be on the "right side of history" until it apologizes to Kaepernick.
- Carlos Hyde: Seahawks RB said NFL teams can prove their commitment to fighting social injustice is serious by signing former teammate Kaepernick.
- Pete Carroll: The Seahawks coach expressed regret for not signing Kaepernick.
- Steve Kerr: The Golden State Warriors coach said Kaepernick will "ultimately be considered a hero" for protesting racial injustice.
And here's how other people in the NFL world responded and reacted to the movement this week:
- Baker Mayfield: Will 2018 No. 1 pick kneel during anthem this season? "Absolutely," the Browns QB said.
- Players Coalition: NFL players' group composed a letter in support of ending qualified immunity for police, other government officials.
- NFL: The league has committed $250 million over the next 10 years to combat racial injustice and systemic racism, according to reports.
- Dan Quinn: Falcons coach participated in a Buckhead 4 Black Lives march.
- Ryan Tannehill: The Titans QB said his teammates helped "open (his) eyes" to racism in society.
- Titans: The organization strongly backed their players' right to protest.
- Bill O'Brien: Texans coach pledges to kneel with players in protest.
- Brittany Brees: Wife of Saints QB Drew Brees apologized for her husband's comments on the flag and the anthem, saying, "We are the problem."
- J.J. Watt: "Pretty sure you won't see @JJWatt taking a knee" a fan wrote on Twitter. The Texans star responded: "Don't speak for me."
Other notable NFL stories from the week
- Mitchell Trubisky: Bears QB said team's trade for fellow quarterback Nick Foles left him "kinda pissed off – in a good way."
- Philip Rivers: New Colts QB bristles at the idea he can't play anymore: "Shoot, let's turn on the tape," Rivers said.
- Jurrell Casey: The Titans discarded me "like a piece of trash," the new Broncos DT said.
- NFL and coronavirus: League memo shows how dangerous the sport can be in the face of the pandemic.
- Dalvin Cook: The Vikings running back is waging a holdout in pursuit of a new contract, according to a report.
- Robert Ayers: The former NFL DE explains why his Lions tenure lasted just one day.
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