Jacob Blake’s horrific shooting last month sparked social justice reforms across the NFL, but Colin Kaepernick isn’t entirely convinced their efforts are genuine.
The former San Franscisco 49er called the football league’s initiatives “propaganda” while calling them out for expelling Eric Reid for his fight against systemic racism.
“While the NFL runs propaganda about how they care about Black Life, they are still actively blackballing Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) for fighting for the Black community,” Kaepernick tweeted. “Eric set 2 franchise records last year, and is one of the best defensive players in the league.”
Reid was the first 49er to join Kaepernick as he knelt during the National Anthem in 2016 and protested police brutality and racial injustice. He continued to kneel in Kaepernick’s absence and was shockingly released from the Carolina Panthers in March despite his impressive record. Reid was later ranked the No. 7 free agent by ESPN. All individuals ahead of him have been recruited, but he has yet to find a home on a new NFL team.
In the wake of George Floyd’s fatal shooting, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL apologized for their failure to listen to Kaepernick’s concerns about racial injustice, but Blake’s shooting prompted actual action.
Ahead of the NFL season, the league announced social justice messages would be written across end zones. They have also revealed initiatives that include their plans to improve relationships between law enforcement and the community, and to close all their facilities on Election Day so their employees would be free to cast their ballots.
Individual teams have also detailed their social justice plans and have opted to remain in their locker rooms during the national anthems now that the season has officially started.
Despite Kaepernick’s skepticism of the NFL’s recent moves, he praised LeBron James for his role in the NBA boycotts that essentially prompted the football league’s actions.
“Four years ago on August 14, 2016, I began protesting against systemic racism and social injustice,” Kaepernick penned to James. “Truth is what I sought. Solidarity is what you showed me. Love is what moves us forward. Thank you for staying true.”
Look below for Kaepernick’s post about the NFL blackballing Reid.