Fox Sports 1 personality Jason Whitlock said he believes there are NFL players who see the “stupidity” in the Colin Kaepernick national anthem protest, but they “fear” the backlash that would come along with it.
“I want to know why NFL players aren’t offering voices of dissent,” Whitlock said Monday on Fox News Channel’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight.” “There are NFL players, black and white, who know that if you really want to address police brutality, social justice, inequality in this country, protesting the national anthem is the perfect way for your message to get completely lost.”
He added, “You can’t tell me that there aren’t NFL players who recognize the stupidity of the style of protest Colin Kaepernick has chosen, but they’re all afraid to say it because of the backlash.”
Whitlock explained that he does not think Kaepernick’s polarizing protest is “consistent” with what sports represent.
“Sports have always been about bringing people together for a fun event. It’s always been about racial unity and looking past your differences to achieve some athletic goal,” said Whitlock. “Kaepernick has turned this thing into something else. I don’t think it’s effective for getting his message out. And I just don’t think it’s consistent with the principles of sports and what NFL football has been about as a television event.”
Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent
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