Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron endured a great deal of racial prejudice when he broke Babe Ruth‘s home run record. He is now adding his name to the ranks of those trying to get Colin Kaepernick another job in the NFL.
There are moments when sports converge. Players give homage to the legends of a city, even if they played a different sport. Friendships spring up amongst athletes, born of mutual admiration or discovering that they have a great deal in common during various events.
Then there are moments like what happened on Wednesday. Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron joined the list of people stating that former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is essentially being blackballed by the NFL for his political beliefs. Aaron has gone as far as to request a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, echoing the sentiments of the NAACP.
One can certainly understand where Aaron and various groups could be coming from. A look around the NFL, and some of the quarterbacks that are employed or slated to begin the season as the starters can make one wonder why Kaepernick cannot get a job. Despite potential interest by both the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Raves, Kaepernick is unsigned.
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The general mantra is that teams do not want the distraction that Kaepernick would cause. There are also concerns as to whether or not he has anything left, given his rough 2016 campaign. Of course, the 49ers were a disaster under their only season with Chip Kelly as the head coach, but that is somehow Kaepernick’s fault.
The NFL also regularly employs players with questionable character. Ray Lewis allegedly killed someone, and both Leonard Little and Donte Stallworth both did. Greg Hardy beat his girlfriend and threw her on a bed of guns, but the Dallas Cowboys came knocking. The list goes on and on.
Meanwhile, Kaepernick’s transgression is his silent protest over the treatment of minorities. This is considered to be a far greater distraction than beating women and children, drug convictions, or animal cruelty. It certainly sets a strange precedent.
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Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron is adding his name to those who think Colin Kaepernick is getting a raw deal. At this point, that belief appears to be correct.