Colin Kaepernick Says His Decision To Take Knee During National Anthem Was Good For NFL’s Profits + Takes Credit For $6 Billion Spike In Nike’s Valuation: ‘When I First Took A Knee My Jersey Went To Number One’ 

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick Says His Decision To Take Knee During National Anthem Was Good For NFL’s Profits + Takes Credit For $6 Billion Spike In Nike’s Valuation: ‘When I First Took A Knee My Jersey Went To Number One’

Colin Kaepernick has claimed his decision to take the knee during the national anthem was good for the NFL’s profits!

During a recent interview with ‘I Am Athlete,’ the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback spoke candidly about the backlash he received after taking the knee during the national anthem in 2016 and how that controversial incident increased the profits for both the NFL and Nike. Colin Kaepernick, 34, explained,

“When I first took a knee, my jersey went to number one. When I did the deal with Nike their value increased by $6billion. So if, you’re talking about the business side, it shows beneficial. If you’re talking about the playing side, come in, let me compete, you can evaluate me from there.”

He added,

“The NFL is supposed to be a meritocracy. Come in let me compete. If I’m not good enough, get rid of me. But let me come in and show you.”

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick– who led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013– was the first athlete to take a knee to protest racial inequality and police brutality. His controversial act of protest inspired many athletes to kneel during the national anthem and was an icon for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Kaepernick hasn’t played in the league since January 2017. He opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March 2017, but was not selected by any team as a free agent. Reportedly, Kaepernick filed a grievance with the NFL shortly after, alleging the league’s 32 team owners colluded to keep him off the field due to his kneeling and acts of protest. Kaepernick and the NFL settled in 2019.

During his recent interview, Colin Kaepernick admitted his act of protest has drastically impacted his NFL career and is asking franchises and team managers to see him as a ‘no distractions, team player’. He also argues that nothing he stood for or publicly stated goes against the messages the league is trying to promote. He explained,

“The narrative that was out there was, ‘oh, you know it’s going to be a media circus. What else comes with him?’…You have end racism on the back of your end zone. You got Black Lives Matter on your helmet. Everything I said should be in alignment with what you’re saying publicly.”

He goes on to explain his successful track record on and off the field, disputing allegations that adding him to a team’s roster would be a distraction. Kaepernick said,

“My coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to it. My coach Chip Kelly spoke to it and said I made the locker room better. I came in, I prepared, I made the team better. That 2016 season, my last year, my teammates voted me the most courageous and inspirational player.”

Colin Kaepernick

He continued,

“So when you’re talking about the people that are actually in the building that has never come out that I’ve been a distraction. It’s never come out that I’ve been an issue from the people I played with.”

See the full interview below:

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[VIA]