Four Years Later, NFL Voices Support for Colin Kaepernick

"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.

NBA players got owners to agree to establish a social justice coalition as a condition of their return to play, made up of players, coaches and owners, that would focus on issues such as voting access and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform.

The NHL was criticized for being slow to respond but followed the NBA’s decision to postpone games a day later.

All eyes will be on the NFL now with the Chiefs and Texans up first.

“We’ll do something in unison to show support for everybody out there that doesn’t have the platform we have,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.

Many coaches have stressed unity, asking players to come together for any type of demonstration they choose. That would put some players in uncomfortable positions because it’s difficult to get an entire roster to agree.

“If I had it my way, that’s exactly what we’d do is express ourselves individually but love and support one another collectively,” Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said.

Jaia Thomas, a sports and entertainment attorney and founder of Diverse Representation, squashed the argument by some of Kaepernick’s critics that protests distract from the real issues.

Read also: 17-Year-Old Kyle Rittenhouse Arrested for Homicide as Unrest in Kenosha Continues

“I think protests by players are an excellent way to bring awareness to various issues ranging from criminal justice reform to police brutality to the racism and inequality still plaguing this country,” Thomas said.

“I’m 100 percent behind players who continue to kneel and protest."

Beyond protests, everyone agrees action is necessary.

“The athletes have a lot of power as we’re seeing,” Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson said.

“They have a lot of influence, especially in their own communities. They have the biggest microphone in their communities. So create dialogue with their local elected officials, mayors, district attorneys. Athletes can call on these people in their towns to have better communication between the neighborhood and elected officials, police unions and police districts all over the country. I think that relationship can be better." 

(Writer: Rob Maaddi)