NFL commissioner Roger Goodell surprised many on Friday by admitting the league got it wrong for pushing back against players kneeling during the national anthem. While Goodell’s apology and support of the Black Lives Matter movement were good for some, one New Orleans Saints star is calling for the NFL to do far more.
Malcolm Jenkins: NFL must apologize to Colin Kaepernick or be on the wrong side of history
Malcolm Jenkins signed with the New Orleans Saints to finish his career where it began and to compete for a Super Bowl. The three-time Pro Bowl safety, known for his leadership and activism, quickly made his voice heard this offseason.
After Drew Brees initially called kneeling during the national anthem “disrespectful to the flag”, Jenkins blasted his friend and teammate with a powerful video. When Brees later apologized and fired back at Donald Trump’s tweet, Jenkins thanked Brees for listening to his teammates.
On Monday, during an interview with “CBS This Morning”, Jenkins turned his eye towards the NFL. The video – a response to the video released by multiple NFL stars calling for change – did some good for the NFL. However, it isn’t enough in Jenkins’ eyes.
“I still don’t think they got it right. Until they apologize specifically to Colin Kaepernick or assign him to a team, I don’t think they will end up on the right side of history,” Jenkins said, via CBS. “At the end of the day, they have listened to the players, donated money, they created an Inspire Change platform.. They’ve tried to do things up and to this point. It’s been one player in particular they have ignored and not acknowledged, that’s Colin Kaepernick.”
Notably, Kaepernick is in the best shape of his life and preparing for another chance to be in the NFL. There is also reportedly increasing hope that an NFL team could sign him. For now, though, Kaepernick will remain a free agent who hasn’t taken the field since 2016.