I stop watching the NFL after they started blackballing Colin Kaepernick for his silent protest of kneeling during the national anthem. Now, I never was big on football before that, but I would watch and keep up for the most part. I prefer college football over the NFL anyways. I’m born and raised in Dallas, TX, so I always supported the Dallas Cowboys because they are the local team. No, I was not a fan, just a supporter. I won’t say which team I was a fan of because y’all might not finish this read. *coughing* Eagles.😏 But, back to what I was saying, I stopped supporting them after the owner did what he did and said in regards to Kaepernick’s protest.

Colin Kaepernick started silently protesting the national anthem in 2016. He started first by remaining seated on the bench, then, I believe 2-3 weeks later, he started kneeling. Many took his protest as a disrespect to the American flag and to our military. People then became uncomfortable and upset behind it and no longer wanted to watch and support the NFL. Please keep in mind that the national anthem is sung/played before the start of games; So, no interruption of any game. Kaepernick was quoted saying, “I am not protesting the anthem or the nation, I’m protesting organised brutality. To me, this is much bigger than football and it would be selfish to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Now, lets fast forward a little. Kaepernick is no longer playing and some players are still kneeling. However, Dallas Cowboys’ owner, Jerry Jones, stated “We cannot in any way give the implication that we tolerate disrespecting the flag…..but there is no question in my mind, that the [NFL] and the Dallas Cowboys are going to stand up for the flag.” It was also suggested by Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President/CEO/Director of Player Personnel, that the Cowboys would cut any player who disobeyed the team’s policy; which is standing for, and during, the national anthem. During this time, Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback, Dak Prescott stated, “I’d never protest. I’d never protest during (the) anthem, and I don’t think that’s the time or the venue to do so.” Since then, it has been said, that no Cowboys’ players have kneeled or remained in the locker room during the national anthem. Y’all can correct me if I’m wrong Cowboys fans. And, I also know there were other teams/players that did the same as well. Allow me to finish.

Fast forward to today, June 2020. Protests are happening all across the world in regards to the recent death of George Floyd due to police brutality. Since then, Dak Prescott has donated $1M to improve police training and systemic racism. Here’s part of his quote pertaining to his donation, “As our communities take action, protesting and fighting for the justice of George Floyd and every Black life, I am with you! I have viewed these protests and riots in our streets as a form of strength and attempt to show we as Black people have rights that aren’t being perceived equally as our counterparts.” Hmmm, a different tone from 2 years ago. But, hey, people can change, right? Oh, and it wasn’t during football season, so I guess that’s ok, huh?

Here’s my take, right now, the whole NFL can miss me with they’re saying. From Dak, to Drew, to Roger Goodell and everyone else in between. It took y’all 4 years since Kap’s silent, peaceful, non-disruptive kneeling protest of the national anthem, to now realize that it wasn’t about some materialistic symbol we call the flag! That is wasn’t about our military men and women! 4 years?!?! That makes me think of a very toxic relationship that a person CHOOSES to stay in. What’s going on today, the reason behind the protest, has not just been happening the past 4 years. This has been going on since we, Blacks/African-Americans, have been in this country. So, nothing anybody can say, that’ll make me believe, that someone just now notices this type of behavior exists in this country. And, although phone cameras have not always existed, they still had cameras and video recorders for sometime; i.e., Rodney King, Emmett Till, any black/white photo of a black human being hanging from a tree, etc..

So, what has changed? Why now? As mentioned earlier, George Floyd wasn’t the first to be caught on video. A lot of us who have been killed weren’t wearing a dripped out American flag outfit or a military uniform. So, apologies? Cool. Donations? Great. But, what comes after that? Will there be any consistencies behind your words and/or donations? I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, so, I don’t know. We’ll see, I guess. But, what I do know is that you can miss me with the BS until then. Let me know what you think, or feel, about all this. Until next time….

Love, Peace & Blessings. genuine