Goodell: Kaepernick not blackballed
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says teams aren’t blackballing Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem last year.
“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. Several teams have signed backups without giving Kaepernick a call.
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 and entertainment because of changing viewership patterns and methods. 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. And I think it’s important for them to do it responsibly.”
Goodell used Denver linebacker Brandon Marshall as a good example.
Marshall, who was a teammate of Kaepernick’s at Nevada, knelt for seven games, then ended his protest after Denver police changed their use-offorce policy. Tannehill hurt: Miami might be added to the list of possible destinations for Kaepernick.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill reinjured his left knee in practice Thursday when it buckled as he scrambled and fell without being hit.
Tannehill walked slowly off the field and underwent an MRI exam, but results weren’t definitive and further assessment was expected Friday.
Tannehill missed last season’s final four games, including a playoff loss at Pittsburgh, after spraining two ligaments in the same knee. He decided against surgery, took part in all offseason drills, and was wearing a brace when his knee gave out while running full speed to escape tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Matt Moore, an 11th-year veteran, replaced Tannehill last year and remains the backup.
Last week, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he hoped Kaepernick wasn’t being punished by teams for his politics. Hall of Fame Game: With no big names and few starters on the field, the Cowboys edged Arizona 20-18 in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
The opening half featured a handful of big plays, with Arizona’s third-string quarterback, former 49er Blaine Gabbert, consistently finding open receivers down the middle.
Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and Patrick Peterson sat out for Arizona. For the Cowboys, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Jason Witten and most of the starting offensive line sat.