Probably the most highly effective males within the NFL loathed Colin Kaepernick’s peaceable protests in opposition to racial injustice, primarily blackballing the previous 49ers quarterback earlier than reaching a monetary settlement with him to finish his collusion case in opposition to the league.
Now, following George Floyd’s demise, commissioner Roger Goodell stated he’s “dedicated to persevering with the necessary work to handle these systemic points along with our gamers.”
Seemingly talking on behalf of many NFL gamers, Texans huge receiver Kenny Stills — who kneeled throughout the nationwide anthem whereas with the Dolphins — shared his quick considered Goodell’s assertion.
“Save the bulls–t,” the 28-year-old Stills tweeted together with a duplicate of the assertion.
Among the many a number of NFL gamers and coaches to handle Floyd’s demise by the hands of Minneapolis police was Kaepernick, 32, who hasn’t performed within the league since 2016 regardless of higher expertise and accomplishments than numerous backups — and a few starters — as a result of he quietly took a knee throughout the nationwide anthem to protest the racism that’s produced too many victims, like Floyd.
“When civility results in demise, revolting is the one logical response,” the previous 49ers quarterback tweeted on Might 28. “The cries for peace will rain down, and after they do, they may land on deaf ears, as a result of your violence has introduced this resistance. Now we have the correct to combat again! Relaxation in Energy George Floyd.”
The commissioner’s assertion got here two days later.
“The NFL household is drastically saddened by the tragic occasions throughout our nation,” Goodell stated within the assertion. “The protesters’ reactions to those incidents mirror the ache, anger and frustration that so many people really feel.
“Our deepest condolences exit to the household of Mr. George Floyd and to those that have misplaced family members, together with the households of Ms. Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, the cousin of Tracy Walker of the Detroit Lions.
“As present occasions dramatically underscore, there stays far more to do as a rustic and as a league. These tragedies inform the NFL’s dedication and our ongoing efforts. There stays an pressing want for motion. We acknowledge the facility of our platform in communities and as a part of the material of American society. We embrace that duty and are dedicated to persevering with the necessary work to handle these systemic points along with our gamers, golf equipment and companions.”
The assertion, nevertheless, didn’t go over effectively.
