NFL releases statement on Colin Kaepernick, social issues
The NFL released a public statement Tuesday that shows a stance of support when it comes to the social issues raised by Colin Kaepernick and other players over the past two years. The statement comes on the heels of an announcement from NFL corporate sponsor Nike on Monday making Kaepernick the face of their new Just Do It campaign, a decision that has resulted in praise from some circles and outrage in others. Some were angered enough by the campaign to call for a boycott of Nike and in some cases lit Nike apparel on fire. Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports reports Nike is also planning a Kaepernick line of apparel and a signature shoe. “The National Football League believes in dialogue, understanding and unity. We embrace the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities,” said Jocelyn Moore, the NFL Executive Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. “The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes raised deserve our attention and action.” Kaepernick has long been a lightning rod for controversy ever since deciding to kneel in protest of police brutality and treatment of minorities in the United States during the national anthem in 2016. Numerous players followed Kaepernick's lead, including teammates Eric Reid and Eli Harold, while others, such as Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, have been outspoken in support of the issues Kaepernick was trying to address. Player protests over the past two seasons have caused discussion and controversy throughout the United States and remain an issue with the start of the 2018 regular season looming this week. Meanwhile, Kaepernick and the NFL have had their own battles ever since he and the San Francisco 49ers parted ways in March of 2017. After no teams decided to sign him as a free agent in the months after his departure from the 49ers, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL in October of 2017, alleging the league colluded to keep him off the field in response to his protests during the national anthem. Last Thursday, arbitrator Stephen B. Burbank ruled that Kaepernick's lawyers found enough information to warrant a full hearing, something the NFL had been trying to avoid. Kaepernick, according to the New York Times, is looking for damages equal to the money he would have received had he been playing in the NFL. Kaepernick, 30, spent six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers after being selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Nevada. In 69 regular games with the 49ers, Kaepernick threw for 12,271 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions while rushing for 2,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. Kaepernick also played in six playoff games, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, and threw for 1,374 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions.
The NFL released a public statement Tuesday that shows a stance of support when it comes to the social issues raised by Colin Kaepernick and other players over the past two years. The statement comes on the heels of an announcement from NFL corporate sponsor Nike on Monday making Kaepernick the face of their new Just Do It campaign, a decision that has resulted in praise from some circles and outrage in others. Some were angered enough by the campaign to call for a boycott of Nike and in some cases lit Nike apparel on fire. Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports reports Nike is also planning a Kaepernick line of apparel and a signature shoe. “The National Football League believes in dialogue, understanding and unity. We embrace the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities,” said Jocelyn Moore, the NFL Executive Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. “The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes raised deserve our attention and action.” Kaepernick has long been a lightning rod for controversy ever since deciding to kneel in protest of police brutality and treatment of minorities in the United States during the national anthem in 2016. Numerous players followed Kaepernick's lead, including teammates Eric Reid and Eli Harold, while others, such as Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, have been outspoken in support of the issues Kaepernick was trying to address. Player protests over the past two seasons have caused discussion and controversy throughout the United States and remain an issue with the start of the 2018 regular season looming this week. Meanwhile, Kaepernick and the NFL have had their own battles ever since he and the San Francisco 49ers parted ways in March of 2017. After no teams decided to sign him as a free agent in the months after his departure from the 49ers, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL in October of 2017, alleging the league colluded to keep him off the field in response to his protests during the national anthem. Last Thursday, arbitrator Stephen B. Burbank ruled that Kaepernick's lawyers found enough information to warrant a full hearing, something the NFL had been trying to avoid. Kaepernick, according to the New York Times, is looking for damages equal to the money he would have received had he been playing in the NFL. Kaepernick, 30, spent six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers after being selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Nevada. In 69 regular games with the 49ers, Kaepernick threw for 12,271 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions while rushing for 2,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. Kaepernick also played in six playoff games, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, and threw for 1,374 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions.
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