Whether genuine or needing to be politically correct in the current climate of race relations in the country, Roger Goodell has flipped his stance of disapproval and alleged blackballing of Colin Kaepernick encouraging NFL teams to sign him.
The league has found itself in the center of the police brutality and racial oppression discussion that George Floyd’s public murder at the hands of police re-ignited, as the former 49ers QB protested exactly what the masses have taken to the streets to protest against now, and was shunned for it back in 2016.
In conjunction with numerous players around the NFL supporting the movement Kaepernick started, the commissioner released a video stating that black lives matter and he and the league should have done a better job of listening to the peaceful protests started by Kaepernick and carried on by his peers.
Now, not only has Goodell seemingly apologized for not supporting Kaepernick’s protest, but is encouraging teams to sign him.
Goodell spoke with ESPN’s Mike Greenberg for the network’s “The Return of Sports” special, and went on recording saying he fully supports a franchise bringing Kaepernick onto their team.
“Well, listen, if he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it’s gonna take a team to make that decision,” Goodell said. “But I welcome that, support a club making that decision, and encourage them to do that.
“If his efforts are not on the field but continuing to work in this space, we welcome him to that table and to help us, guide us, help us make better decisions about the kinds of things that need to be done in the communities. We have invited him in before, and we want to make sure that everybody’s welcome at that table, and trying to help us deal with some very complex, difficult issues, that have been around for a long time.
“But I hope we’re at a point now where everybody’s committed to making long-term, sustainable change.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he supports and encourages teams to sign quarterback Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/eXiEM4UAyv
— ESPN (@espn) June 15, 2020
The 32-year-old is reportedly in the best shape of his life and looking to return to the league.
