Doug Williams says the Washington Redskins never discussed signing Colin Kaepernick in the past. Kaepernick tried bringing attention to police brutality and racial injustice back in 2016 by kneeling in protest during the national anthem.
His efforts were met with drawback. Fans, media, and others including The President of the United States, Donald Trump, voiced Kaepernick’s choice of protest disrespected the nation’s flag and military. The following season, Kaepernick was not on none of the 32 teams’ rosters. Teams were not interested him and the potential firestorm that followed him.
Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, Williams explained why the Redskins didn’t entertain signing Kaepernick because of the team’s location.
āI think what happened here, weāre in a heavily, heavily military area. And I think the guy that sits on Pennsylvania Avenue — 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — made such a big stink of it, the fans in this area… mightāve been a tough situation for both the team and [Kaepernick].ā
Doug Williams (h/t NBC Sports Washington)
Trump was the catalyst of the chorus against Kaepernick and his method of protest. Their voices were louder than those who supported Kaepernick or had no issues with the protest.
āYou donāt want to bring people into a situation where nobody is going to be happy,ā Williams added. āI think thatās probably what happened, why he didnāt come up during that time.ā
Then, the NFL discouraged players from kneeling in protest in large due to the President’s negative opinion of it. Owners were afraid of losing fans and TV ratings.
However, in the wake of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s deaths that have sparked protests among people around the nation, the NFL appears to be changing its tune.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell apologized for the league “not listening” to its players in 2016 and 2017. He also said the league was behind their players protesting.
Earlier this week, Redskins head coach Ron Rivera said he will support any of his players who choose to kneel in protest during the national anthem.
While Goodell’s apology didn’t name Kaepernick, there is an outcry of the league signing the outcast quarterback. Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said he regrets not signing Kaepernick back in 2017. So, Williams isn’t the first from the league to reflect on Kaepernick’s situation.
With the league’s tune change, it will be interesting to see if teams at least discuss signing him.
