For some reason we’re supposed to feel sorry for Colin Kaepernick.
He made millions of dollars playing in the NFL and then decided one day he would disrespect the American flag and kneel during the national anthem.
After parting ways with the 49ers, Kaepernick has tried and failed to get resigned with another team.
Perhaps his poor attitude and attention-seeking actions have something to do with it?
Yet in a recent interview, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell basically came out begging for a team to sign Kaepernick.
Here’s the details from ESPN on the commissioner’s statement:
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he supports and encourages teams to sign quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick, 32, has not played since the 2016 season, when as a member of the San Francisco 49ers he kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial inequality.
In a conversation with Mike Greenberg for ESPN’s “The Return of Sports” special, Goodell said it would be up to a team to sign Kaepernick and said he welcomes Kaepernick’s voice on discussions of social issues.
“Well, listen, if he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it’s gonna take a team to make that decision,” Goodell said. “But I welcome that, support a club making that decision and encourage them to do that.
“If his efforts are not on the field but continuing to work in this space, we welcome him to that table and to help us, guide us, help us make better decisions about the kinds of things that need to be done in the communities. We have invited him in before, and we want to make sure that everybody’s welcome at that table and trying to help us deal with some very complex, difficult issues that have been around for a long time.
“But I hope we’re at a point now where everybody’s committed to making long-term, sustainable change.”
Earlier this month, Goodell released a video apologizing on behalf of the NFL for not doing a better job of listening to players’ concerns on racial inequality. Afterward, he was criticized for not mentioning Kaepernick by name.
In Monday’s interview, he praised Kaepernick and others for raising issues such as racism and injustice.
“What they were talking about and what they were protesting and what they were trying to bring attention to was playing out right in front of us — and tragically,” Goodell said of why the NFL chose to speak up. “And so all of us saw that, and it was difficult for all of us. And so that was an important point for all of us.”
It’s sad to see how radical politics have infected professional sports.
Who knows how long the NFL will exist when all people have to hear about is “system racism”?
Here’s what’s trending on Twitter over the matter:
If you can stomach it, watch Goodell’s interview here where he basically panders to Black Lives Matter:
Even though the NFL came out and apologized for its previous handling of kneeling, that’s not good enough for some.
According to Sports Illustrated, famous recording artist The Dream is demanding that every NFL owner personally apologize to Kaepernick:
The NFL has been in the news a lot of late after Roger Goodell and the league admitted they were wrong in how they previously handled NFL protests and subsequently pledged $250 million to combat systemic racism.
However, many feel such actions ring hollow without an apology to Colin Kaepernick.
I spoke with star recording artist The-Dream—who told me he deliberately did not attend the Super Bowl where Beyonce performed one of the biggest songs he wrote "Single Ladies"—to get his thoughts on the situation. And he believes it is obvious that Kap deserves an apology.
"Of course he's owed an apology, I feel by every owner in the NFL, you know, at this particular time. I can't speak on how they feel about how he works and whether he's gonna get a job because of this. For a man personally what he stood for, what he was trying to stand for and by losing his job basically behind it. You know, they owe him an apology. And I know that's how I feel. And I know a lot of people in my camp feel the same way."
When The-Dream speaks of his camp, he also referenced Jay-Z, as the two are friends and frequent collaborators. And he is clearly not happy with how some pitted Jay-Z against Colin Kaepernick on social media after the former began working with the NFL.
Instead of feeling sorry for Kaepernick, how about we feel sorry for the tens of thousands of small business owners that had to close their doors permanently due to the COVID shutdown?
Let’s save our sympathy for those who actually deserve and have earned it.
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