NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned he supports and encourages groups to indication quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick, 32, has not played considering the fact that the 2016 year, when as a member of the San Francisco 49ers he kneeled for the duration of the countrywide anthem to protest racial inequality.
In a conversation with Mike Greenberg for ESPN’s “The Return of Sports activities” specific, Goodell explained it would be up to a crew to sign Kaepernick and explained he welcomes Kaepernick’s voice on conversations of social concerns.
“Nicely, pay attention, if he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it’s gonna acquire a staff to make that conclusion,” Goodell claimed. “But I welcome that, guidance a club producing that determination and stimulate them to do that.
“If his efforts are not on the industry but continuing to do the job in this room, we welcome him to that table and to enable us, tutorial us, help us make superior choices about the forms of items that require to be done in the communities. We have invited him in ahead of, and we want to make sure that everybody’s welcome at that table and making an attempt to aid us deal with some quite elaborate, challenging issues that have been close to for a long time.
“But I hope we are at a issue now the place everybody’s fully commited to producing very long-phrase, sustainable alter.”
Previously this thirty day period, Goodell introduced a video apologizing on behalf of the NFL for not performing a improved occupation of listening to players’ fears on racial inequality. Afterward, he was criticized for not mentioning Kaepernick by identify.
In Monday’s interview, he praised Kaepernick and some others for increasing difficulties this sort of as racism and injustice.
“What they were being conversing about and what they had been protesting and what they were seeking to convey awareness to was enjoying out ideal in front of us — and tragically,” Goodell claimed of why the NFL selected to speak up. “And so all of us noticed that, and it was tough for all of us. And so that was an significant stage for all of us.”
Goodell also tackled experiences Monday that some players on the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys have tested positive for COVID-19, expressing that the league expects favourable checks.
“So favourable exams are heading to come about,” Goodell mentioned. “The concern is, can we certainly avoid as several of people from taking place, but in addition, treat them speedily, isolate them and protect against them from directly impacting our player staff.
“So none of all those players were in the amenities. All of individuals gamers, the good news is, have experienced either gentle signs and symptoms or are asymptomatic.”
