NFL ‘makes 10-year, $250 million commitment to combat systemic racism’ as one league insider anonymously admits ‘we needed to listen more to Colin Kaepernick’
- The NFL has pledged to donate $250 million over a 10-year period to fight systemic racism amid uproar over last month’s police killing of George Floyd
- Recently a group of high-profile NFL players compiled a video voicing concern about what they felt has been suppression from the league since 2016
- Colin Kaepernick began protesting racist police brutality in 2016 by kneeling during the anthem, igniting league-wide demonstrations and controversy
- Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season, amid claims of collusion by owners, who some say were retaliating for the protest controversy
- A league insider told NFL.com that teams should have listened to Kaepernick sooner, adding that the league is willing to partner with him on social justice
The NFL had pledged to donate $250 million over a 10-year period to fight systemic racism around the country amid uproar over last month’s killing of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
The donation was first reported by The Undefeated and NFL.com, and will be used to address criminal justice reform, police reform and economic and educational advancement for minorities.
‘The NFL is growing our social justice efforts through a 10-year total $250 million fund to combat systemic racism and support the battle against the ongoing and historic injustices faced by African-Americans,’ read a league statement.
‘The NFL and our clubs will continue to work collaboratively with NFL players to support programs to address criminal justice reform, police reforms, and economic and educational advancement. In addition to the financial commitment, we will continue to leverage the NFL Network and all of our media properties to place an increased emphasis on raising awareness and promoting education of social justice issues to our fans and help foster unity.’
Recently a group of high-profile NFL players compiled a video voicing concern about what they felt has been suppression from the league since quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling in protest of racism during the national anthem before games in 2016. Commissioner Roger Goodell issued an apology the day after for ‘not listening’ earlier and encouraged players to speak up and peacefully protest.
Recently a group of high-profile NFL players compiled a video voicing concern about what they felt has been suppression from the league since quarterback Colin Kaepernick (cenrer) began kneeling in protest of racism during the national anthem before games in 2016. Commissioner Roger Goodell issued an apology the day after for ‘not listening’ earlier and encouraged players to speak up and peacefully protest
The league previously donated $44 million to 20 national social justice programs and as well as 350 local grassroots organizations identified by the Players Coalition, according to NFL.com.
The NFL had been at odds with the Black Lives Matter movement as former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick remained a free agent amid
‘We wouldn’t be where we are today without the work Colin and other players have led off,’ a league source told NFL.com. ‘That is a key point here. We listened to our players. We needed to listen more, we needed to move faster. We heard them and launched a social justice platform because of what Colin was protesting about.
Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens uses a bullhorn as he leads a protest in California in support of Colin Kaepernick and against police brutality and racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd’s death
‘The players have always been an essential piece of this effort and this campaign. It would be awesome to engage Colin on some of the work we are doing. He’s doing real impactful work. Getting him in some way would be amazing for us. There’s a lot of work to do to get to that point. We’re certainly open and willing to do that.’
Commissioner Roger Goodell issued an apology for failing to listen to players who kneeled in protest during the national anthem
Kaepernick paid a price for his stance. He opted out of his contract in San Francisco in March of 2017 after the new regime led by coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch told him they planned to cut him and go a different direction.
Kaepernick hasn’t gotten another offer from an NFL team since. He settled a collusion case with the NFL but still hasn’t gotten a chance to earn another job in the league despite having led the Niners to the Super Bowl following the 2012 season and the NFC title game the following year.
Floyd’s death has ignited nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality, issues Kaepernick began speaking out against in 2016 when he started taking a knee during the national anthem.
Interestingly, Goodell’s apology did not include a mention of Kaepernick.
‘It has been a difficult time for our country. In particular, black people in our country,’ Goodell said in a video released Friday. ‘First, my condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and all the families who have endured police brutality. We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people.
‘We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter. I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much needed change in this country.’