Kaepernick supporters rally outside NFL offices
Colin Kaepernick may still be out a job — but there are plenty of people on his team.
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside NFL headquarters in Midtown on Wednesday to voice their outrage over the quarterback not being signed ahead of the 2017 season.
The “United We Stand” rally was in full swing as of 5 p.m., with countless fans standing along Park Avenue, chanting “Stay Woke!” and holding up signs that said “NFL Blackout” and “Kaepernick We Kneel With You.”
Some wore shirts that showed the former 49ers star taking a knee — and portrayed his signature afro as the black power fist.
Many invoked former athletes turned protesters, including Tommie Smith and John Carlos, as well as Muhammad Ali.
The crowd, which was joined by several celebrities and prominent figures — including rapper Kurtis Blow and Palestinian-American political activist Linda Sarsour — called for a boycott of all things NFL.
“As far as I’m concerned no fantasy football, no NFL packages, no going to the games — which we usually do a couple times a year,” said Mitchell Stevenson, a 56-year-old Giants fan who traveled from Hamden, Conn., with a crew of family and friends. “Done,” he said firmly. “That’s it.” NFL owners have been avoiding Kaepernick like the plague after his national anthem stunt last year.
The QB is still seeking work with just two weeks left before the season starts — and unless another team’s star is injured, he likely will not be on a Week 1 roster.
Fans outside NFL headquarters said they believed Kaepernick is being unfairly “blackballed” for simply exercising his first amendment rights.
The rally, which was promoted by Spike Lee and others, ultimately was organized by a group of individuals who believe the 29-year-old deserves to play in the league.
“I think Kaepernick getting a job is a start,” said Eddie Googe, a 50-yearold Cowboys fan from Connecticut who called on the NFL to use its immense power to “unite” the country.
“The league needs to do a better job with social-justice issues,” he said. “It’s almost scary how much influence they have. You have these billionaire owners sitting in their offices. They’re sending a message now that there’s a right and wrong time to stand up for social justice issues. There’s never a wrong time. They need to change their message.”