Goodell: Kaepernick not being blackballed

ENGLEWOOD, COLO. » NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says teams aren’t blackballing Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem last year.

“No, teams make decisions (based) on what’s in the best interest of their team ... and they make those decisions individually,” Goodell said Thursday following his appearance at a forum with about 200 fans at the Denver Broncos’ indoor practice facility.

Kaepernick, who opted out of his contract with the 49ers on March 3, has drawn interest from Seattle and Baltimore but remains unemployed a year after throwing for 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 games.

Goodell demurred when asked if he thought Kaepernick should be in the league based strictly on his talent.

“There are other people who make those evaluations and that’s a decision that those teams all make individually,” Goodell said. “It’s not one that I would make as a commissioner.”

Kaepernick drew significant backlash last year after kneeling during the national anthem and saying he could not show pride in a flag of a country that he believes oppresses blacks and other minorities.

During the forum, one fan suggested Kaepernick’s prolonged protest was the reason for the decline in the NFL’s television ratings last year.

Goodell responded by saying TV ratings are down across sports because of changing viewership pattern. He also said he encourages players to be “active in their communities because I think they are leaders in their communities, I think they have a voice and they should express it.”