Rights & wrongs
Now that NFL supports Kaepernick’s fight, what happens next?
Four years later, the NFLadmitted it was wrong and said it now supports Colin Kaepernick in his fight against racial injustice, encouraging players to take a stand — or a knee — for the cause.
What happens next?
The league’s 101st season kicks off Thursday night, when the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans. NFL end zones will be inscribed this season with two slogans: “It Takes All Of Us” on one side, “End Racism” on the other.
As part of its social justice awareness initiatives, the NFL also will allow similar visuals on helmets and caps. Players will be permitted to wear decals on the back of helmets, or patches on team caps, displaying names or phrases to honor victims of racism and/or police brutality.
“The NFLstands with the Black community, the players, clubs and fans,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said last week. “Confronting recent systemic racism with tangible and productive steps is absolutely essential. We will not relent in our work.”
After George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer ignited nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality, Goodell apologized to players for not listening sooner and encouraged them to protest peacefully.
Floyd died after a police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes. His death in May awakened many people, including NFL owners, to the root of the issues that led Kaepernick to kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 2016.
Kaepernick’s demonstration was misinterpreted as an expression that demeaned the flag and country. President Donald Trump and many of his supporters continue to criticize players across all sports leagues for keeling during the national anthem. It will likely be a focal point for Trump during his campaign for re-election. But many who opposed Kaepernick’s stance now say they understand and support the movement.
Even Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appears to have eased his hard-line stance requiring players to stand during the anthem.
“If our players are there, they are sensitive to and respect what America is as it relates to the flag,” Jones said in a radio interview last week. “I’ll assure you that. I’d hope that our fans — and I think they will — understand that our players have issues that they need help on. They need help from the majority of America. They need help.”
NFLexecutive Troy Vincent said he’s seen a shift among owners.
“I do believe that the club owners are at a place over the last few years, it’s taken some a little longer than others, but it becomes a heart issue,” Vincent said. “And they do have an appreciation for humanity and they understand that we have to do this together.”
Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffery Lurie said some of his fellow owners are “embarrassed by our country” and they have meetings scheduled to discuss howthey can do more to help.
“I actually believe that in most of the owners’ hearts and minds, they are really wanting to be proactive,” Lurie said. “It’s very important, though, that we support policies that are part of the solution, and in terms of elected officials, locally, statewide and maybe, obviously, important nationally.”
Still, notoneNFLownerhashired Kaepernick, a talented quarterback who led the San Francisco 49ers to within7yardsofdefeatingBaltimore in Super Bowl 47. The 32-year-old Kaepernick hasn’t been offered a contract since he last played in 2016. WhileishenotintheNFL, EA Sportshasgiventhefreeagentaspot in its “Madden21” game.
“Colin was a visionary, a pioneer for our generation and we are truly grateful for him,” said NFL agent Andre Odom. “Making such a huge sacrifice for change isn’t easy for anyone. Now seeing the NFL acknowledge that they should’ve listened to him just shows that the time is now to really stand up, strategize, implement and execute initiatives for the African American community. It takes us all.”
The shooting of Jacob Blake, who was critically wounded by a police officer last month in Kenosha, Wisconsin, led to brief shutdowns of the NBA and NHL playoffs and sparked more conversations about demonstrations by NFL players.