Colin Kaepernick

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NFL looks worse for this Colin Kaepernick private workout

Well, the NFL is doing what it can to make itself look like a league that isn’t blackballing Colin Kaepernick. They’ve set up a private workout this Saturday in Atlanta for Kaepernick to show off his skills. All NFL teams are welcomed to send in reps to watch.

Sounds like a good and favorable thing for Kaepernick, right?

Well, not exactly. In fact, the whole thing smelled fishy from the beginning. We’re close to three seasons since Kaepernick was last in the NFL and now the NFL wants to help him out? Sure, there was that whole lawsuit issue but surely that meant that was in the past and the present is now, right? They’ve made peace and moved on, right?

Actually, according to Mike Silver, it’s not what you think. Charles Robinson also shared some information as well.

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NFL has anthem kneeling compromise that provides no solution

Well, to be fair, we can’t expect the NFL to be the voice of the masses, can we?

So this is the new rule that is supposedly a good compromise from the NFL. You either stand for the anthem or be in the locker room if you don’t want to stand. It’s easier this way as the NFL will hide away all those players who they deem controversial. Or just try to help remind us that Colin Kaepernick was screwed out of a job just for this very reason.

The anthem hasn’t always been played before games. It has only become such a big deal, especially in the NFL, in trying to put this image that the sport cares about their military. I don’t deny that there is a lot of respect for the armed forces and that the league loves America, but it’s hard to fathom how much of this new rule is about that or is it to uphold a certain image.

It would be easy just to not play the anthem at all. But that would hurt the high-profile image the NFL has created for itself. They don’t want to deal with another season of controversy and confusion. They can’t handle that. They don’t want that. (And if it gets too hot, let the club owners create their own rules.)

So here we are. A rule set in place to silence those who don’t even speak during the anthem. A move that will indeed cause a lot more problems. Teammates will have issues with one another on who is staying and who is going out. There will be some rogue players who will take a knee on the sidelines regardless. They’ll fight the fine and the NFL will endure more trouble. The whole point of protesting is to be seen, not to hide away.

Brushing away the protests into the locker room isn’t going to make things better. It’s only a small fix that will eventually fade away and another discussion will begin. With the NFL already suffering from fans questioning the owners’ integrity on this issue, expect more of the same going forward. It’s a bigger issue than just sending players away to the locker room just so they can’t be seen.

This new ruling solves no problems. It will just invite more.

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On anniversary of Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ raised fists, we are still fighting the same racial battle

On this day in 1968, one of the greatest moments in sports history happened. It was also one of the greatest moments in world history.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, two runners from San Jose State University (my alma mater), made a demonstration that forever changed history. After having won gold and bronze medals, respectively, in the 200-meter running event, both Smith and Carlos raised a black-gloved fist during the national anthem in a gesture towards human rights. This came at a time in America where racial equality was still a distant dream.

What transpired afterward was equally telling of the times in America. There were people who understood the importance of their message; there were many who disliked the act. Smith and Carlos were immediately sent back home, they (and their families) received death threats. It became discussion over and over about how a sporting event was no place for what they deemed a political protest. What these two did was completely unacceptable and disrespectful.

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The divide of the national anthem protests in the NFL

When I took a photo of my TV yesterday and shared the above tweet on Twitter, I didn’t know it would generate so much discussion and impressions. (The tweet has gotten more activity than my last viral tweet.)

But as I read the responses to the tweet (along with seeing how many people were liking and retweeting, including some notable Twitter users like Shaun King) it showed me that the divide is still strong on this topic.

Some people felt that kneeling during the anthem is disrespectful. Others believe that the fight is worth kneeling for. But as I continued to read the comments, it reflected so much to me that our country is in this state of divide. There is an uncertainty and ignorance of the issue.

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Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand during national anthem: Both sides are right and wrong

So here is the controversy from last night that has spilled over into Saturday.

During the national anthem, Colin Kaepernick did not stand while the rest of his team did. Kaepernick explained that he couldn’t stand for the national anthem and support a country who oppresses black people and minorities. As you can see above, the NFL has responded.

And there we have two sides of this situation. One side believes that Kaepernick has the right to voice his feelings in this way and it’s well within his constitutional rights. Others believe that it’s disrespectful to what the flag and all those who have served our country mean to the nation.

And I think both sides are right.

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So what exactly is Colin Kaepernick being fined for?

The face you make when the NFL says you didn’t use a racial slur and still fines you $5500? *shrugs* back to my grind! #IDontGetTired #WhoDoYouLove #Se7enPounds

So the initial fine for the racial slur has been cut in half because a racial slur was never said. So why is Colin Kaepernick still being fined? If it was just for a general profanity, then that must be singling him out. Tons of non-racial profane words are said on the football field yet these players don’t get fined.

I don’t know how the league can police these things. They’re trying and by this situation, it is clear that it isn’t clear at all.

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Want to win your fantasy league? Some of these suggestions might work

Another year of fantasy football. I don’t expect to have all the answers and some of these suggestions could be completely wrong. But I will impart my wisdom among you. It’s up to you if you want to believe my advice to be of any value. I may be completely wrong. Good luck in fantasy football this year!

1 – Broncos offense will be on fire again.

Let’s take a look at this offense right now. They didn’t really get worse. The loss of Eric Decker isn’t a huge hit but the potential growth in Montee Ball could be huge. Peyton Manning is still playing at an elite level and the receivers are still very good. I don’t thin the Broncos will repeat the same offensive numbers they did last season but I don’t think they will tail off that much either. If you get a chance to grab a Broncos offensive weapon, do it. Even kicker Matt Prater is the top kicker in the league in my opinion. I think at this point, you should look at how early you want to get at least one of the receiving weapons. It would be a good investment if you did.

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EA Sports Madden 15 to feature Colin Kaepernick’s tattoos

As a guy who has played the new Madden every single year since 2005, this is really neat. I didn’t like that the details on Kaepernick didn’t feature the tattoos. But now, this is really cool.

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Donte Whitner not happy with Bills reporter taking shot at Colin Kaepernick’s style

Colin Kaepernick’s fashion style isn’t bad. But some people can’t take it.

Following the 49ers’ 23-10 win over the Panthers, Colin Kaepernick met with the media in the above outfit. If you’ve seen Kaepernick, you know that such kind of an outfit is the norm for him.

But of course, since his starting NFL debut last season, old school reporters don’t like it. With the backwards cap, the tattoos and the “urban” look, he’s been a target of many. He doesn’t fit the mold of the old generation, which some people hold on to.

A Bills writer decided to voice his anger about it. (He would later delete it probably because he knew he was a fool for tweeting that.)

https://twitter.com/salmaiorana/status/422505040750727169

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Colin Kaepernick’s Beats by Dre commercial really makes Seahawks fans look uncivil

I suppose if you want to portray the image that the headphones blocks out the outside noise, it works. Although I would think that the fans (who are wearing Seattle neon green) would be a bit more civil.

But of course, you wouldn’t be selling and marketing something well if you weren’t over the top, right?

Well, at least one thing is for certain: This commercial alienates the Seattle market. But I’m sure they’ll find a way to make it up to them.