As the National Football League’s offseason progresses, many quarterbacks with marginal performance records are being signed by teams. Mike Glennon, for example, received $18.5 million guaranteed from the Chicago Bears despite a mediocre track record. Similarly, career backup Josh McCown signed a $6 million deal with the New York Jets. Others like Brian Hoyer, Nick Foles, Landry Jones, and Matt Barkley have also secured contracts.
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report revealed that around 70% of NFL teams are unwilling to sign Kaepernick, not because of his abilities, but to punish him for his activism. An anonymous AFC general manager stated that some teams view this as a form of punishment and a cautionary tale to deter other players from similar protests.
Kaepernick’s situation mirrors that of Craig Hodges in the NBA 25 years ago. Hodges, a sharpshooter who played for Michael Jordan’s Bulls, was outspoken on social issues and presented a letter to President Bush during the team’s White House visit. Afterward, he was cut from the Bulls and never played in the NBA again, despite his talents. Hodges’ career was effectively ended due to his political beliefs, serving as a warning to other players.
This pattern of punishing athletes for their political beliefs isn’t new. John Carlos and Tommie Smith faced similar backlash after their raised-fist protest at the 1968 Olympics. Their reputations were destroyed, and they struggled to find employment.
Historically, athletes of color have faced greater repercussions for their activism. While some white athletes have also opposed sports authorities, such as Jim Brosnan and Jim Bouton in baseball, the consequences for athletes of color are often harsher.
Sports institutions in America, valued for building character and discipline, view opposition to authority as a threat. Kaepernick’s protest challenges the foundation of these institutions, making it unforgivable in the eyes of the NFL.
The NFL’s decision to exclude Kaepernick is a show of force, but it also highlights the power that athletes possess. Kaepernick’s impact and the fear he instills in the league’s authorities demonstrate the potential influence of athletes who stand up for their beliefs.
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