Former exec: NFL ‘wrong’ on Kaep

Joe Lockhart saw up close what happened to Colin Kaepernick, how owners refused to sign the talented quarterback because it could hurt business. He was the league’s vice president of communications when Kaepernick was taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality against minorities.

And, now, as racial tensions are as high as ever with the death of George Floyd — in the middle of the novel coronavirus pandemic no less — Lockhart, the former press secretary under President Bill Clinton, believes the NFL can step in fix a past error and make a difference. Bring back Kaepernick, three years after he parted ways with the 49ers. What better team than the Vikings, who play in a city where violent protests have broken out over Floyd’s death.

Lockhart’s plea comes on the heels of players in the past making accusations that Kaepernick was blackballed. So have unnamed sources. But now someone who was on the inside of the NFL is speaking up.

“No teams wanted to sign a player — even one as talented as Kaepernick — whom they saw as controversial, and, therefore, bad for business,” Lockhart wrote. “It may have seemed like a good business decision for the clubs to not sign him, and it certainly wasn’t illegal, but it was wrong. … I think the teams were wrong for not signing him. Watching what’s going on in Minnesota, I understand how badly wrong we were.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the tensions surrounding Floyd’s death, saying in a statement on Saturday that “the NFL family is greatly saddened by the tragic events across out country” and sent the league’s condolences to the Floyd’s family.

“There remains an urgent need for action,” Goodell said. “We recognize the power of our platform in the communities and as part of the fabric of American society.”