Stills hasn’t ruled out continuing protest
DAVIE Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills took a knee during the national anthem last season to create awareness for social injustice and he hasn’t ruled out kneeling again in 2017.
“We’ll see when [the] time comes,” Stills said Wednesday.
Stills, safety Michael Thomas and former Dolphins Arian Foster and Jelani Jenkins all knelt during the national anthem in the season opener last year to bring awareness to social injustice issues in the United States.
The foursome were inspired by former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started protesting during the preseason and continued it throughout the year. Kaepernick, who has not signed with an NFL team despite producing a 90.7 passer rating, has said he will not continue his protest, which many believe has led to his struggles findingwork this offseason.
Stills, a four-year veteran the Dolphins re-signed to a four-year, $32 million contract this offseason, and Thomas, a team captain, were the only Dolphins to continue kneeling through the regular season and the playoffs. They were also heavily involved in community activism, which included participating in a ride-along programthat encouraged young people to interact with local police officers.
“I’m doing my best to continue to work and make an impact on the community and I feel like that’s the most important part of what we’re doing right now,” said Stills, whocaught 42 passes for 726 yards and led the team with nine touchdowns in 2016.
Stills won the Dolphins’ Nat Moore Community ServiceAward for his charitable work last season, and plans to take his activism to the next level this year.
He was also among a handful ofNFLplayerswho backed out of a trip to Israel this offseason that they thought would be exploited for political reasons.
“I try to do my best to do the right thing in all situations, and that’s how I’ll handle it,” Stills said when asked about his social activism. “I’ve gotten more involved this past year and that’s something I can’t hold back on because it’s something that’s true to my heart. That’s howI’ll handle every situation I come across.” Tony Lippett, Xavien Howard and Bobby McCain. But Maxwell’s lofty $10 million salary in 2018 means that he’ll likely be asked to take a pay cut or get released after this season unless he plays at a Pro Bowl level this year.
Maxwell, who will earn $8.5 million this season, makes twice as much as the six other cornerbacks on Miami’s roster combined when it comes to base salary, and that disparity grows by another $1.5 million next season because of his contract, which doesn’t feature any guaranteed money past this year.
Despite the possible ramifications, Maxwell was thrilled to see Tankersley, a standout at his alma mater, get drafted by the Dolphins, and intends to serve as his mentor.
“I watched him a lot just watching the [Clemson] games,” Maxwell said assessing Tankersley, who signed a four-year deal worth $3.17 million this month as the 97th overall pick in the draft. “He showed up. He always popped(beingphysical). He has great ball skills. He always finds the ball.”
If Tankersley’s that good he’ll likely push Maxwell, who had 53 tackles, two interceptions and forced four fumbles last season, for playing time on the boundary.
The cornerback unit, which helped hold opposing quarterbacks to an 88.5 passer rating last season, will likely feature the most competitive battles in organized team activities, minicamp and training camp.
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