Serena lauds controversial QB Kaepernick, Reid

Serena Williams said Friday that “every athlete, every human” should be grateful for the stand on social issues taken by former NFL players Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid.

Kaepernick and Reid, two former San Francisco 49ers who are now out of the league, were among the luminaries who turned out for 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena’s US Open showdown with elder sister Venus on Friday night.

The two were cheered when they were shown on massive screens at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Serena said she was too focused on her 6-1, 6-2 demolition of seven-time major winner Venus to notice them.

But she said she admired their willingness to use their public profiles to tackle issues of racial and social injustice.

“I think every athlete, every human and definitely every African American should be completely grateful and honored how Colin and Eric are doing so much more for the greater good, so to say,” she said. “They really use their platform in ways that is really unfathomable.”

Kaepernick, who began a kneeling protest during pre-game playings of the national anthem that eventually aroused the ire of US President Donald Trump, has been unable to secure a contract with an NFL club since becoming a free agent in March of 2017.

An arbitrator ruled this week that Kaepernick’s collusion case against the NFL can proceed in a blow for the league that had sought to have the case dismissed.

Reid has a similar grievance pending, alleging league owners colluded to keep him as well as Kaepernick out of the NFL as retaliation for the protests.

“I feel like they obviously have great respect from a lot of their peers, especially other athletes, people that really are looking for social change,” Serena said of the two.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Trump says protesting players in NFL should be fired

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — President Donald Trump has a suggestion for National Football League owners whose players decide to take a knee during the national anthem: fire them.

And the president has a similar suggestion for fans of the sport: walk out of the stadium in protest.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the trend last year when he played for the San Francisco 49ers. He hasn’t been signed by an NFL team this season.

Trump’s hard-nosed reaction to protests by several athletes over treatment of blacks by police came Friday night during a freewheeling rally in Alabama. He says such players are disrespecting the flag and deserve to lose their jobs.

Trump also bemoaned that football has become less violent. That view comes amid growing concerns over repeated head blows and a brain disease.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Rally in support of Kaepernick planned

Film maker Spike Lee is backing a rally in support of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who provoked controversy last season by kneeling during the US national anthem to protest against injustice in America.

According to a social media post by Lee on Tuesday, the “United We Stand” rally for Kaepernick, organized by several civil rights groups, will start at 5pm (2100 GMT) on August 23 outside the NFL headquarters on Park Avenue in New York City.

“I Did Not Organize And Set Up This Protest. However I Still Support My Brother And His Stance On The Injustices In The USA,” Lee said in a separate Twitter post.

Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers signal caller, remains unemployed a month before the start of the regular season.

The Seattle Seahawks are the only team that has hosted Kaepernick since he opted out of his contract with the 49ers and became a free agent.

Lee and others have suggested that teams are avoiding Kaepernick, who was 2-10 as a starter with the 49ers last season, because of his anthem protest.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell denied this month that Kaepernick was being “blackballed” but Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin said last week that he believes NFL owners are “trying to send a message” by not signing Kaepernick.

“It’s frustrating because you want to have guys who are willing to speak out about things that they believe in, whether you agree with it or not,” Baldwin told ESPN.

source: sports.inquirer.net

49ers, Kaepernick agree to $110M deal

SANTA CLARA - The San Francisco 49ers signed quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) to a six-year contract extension that could be worth $110 million, including a potential record $61 million guaranteed.

The details of the contract extension that takes Kaepernick through the 2020 season appear to make him one of the top-10 paid quarterbacks in the NFL. The total guarantees in the deal won't be certain until final numbers are confirmed by the NFL Players Association, but several reports estimate its value at up to $126 million.

"To me, it's something that I feel like I'm always striving to be in that group, in the elite group in the NFL," Kaepernick said. "Not necessarily pay, but as far as a player. And whatever comes along with that comes along with it. But, for me, I'm worried about trying to be the best player I can and try to help this organization win as many games as we can."

Kaepernick (6’4”, 230 pounds) was originally selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by San Francisco. He has played in 32 games (23 starts), completing 382 of 639 pass attempts for 5,046 yards and 31 touchdowns.

"Colin's hard work and dedication have played an integral role in the recent success of the 49ers organization," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. "His work ethic, leadership and on-field production have positively influenced our team, and we look forward to his continued growth in all areas.

"Our organization always looks to reward our players for their contributions and commitment to the team. Colin's agents, Scott Smith and Jason Bernstein, along with Paraag Marathe and Brian Hampton, should be commended for working diligently to reach an agreement."

Kaepernick, 26, has started all six postseason games in which he has appeared, including two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl. In those games, he posted four wins and threw for 1,374 yards and seven touchdowns, while completing 94 of 162 pass attempts. He has also rushed for 507 yards and four touchdowns on 51 rushing attempts in the playoffs.

Kaepernick was pleased to get the contract out of the way before the season.

"I really wasn't sure when it was going to be done or the timing of it," he said. "But they decided to have it done at this point and we don't have to worry about talks or anything like that moving forward. We can get back to football and focus on trying to win a Super Bowl."

In 2013, Kaepernick started all 16 regular-season games, and all three postseason contests, setting career highs in completions (243), passing yards (3,197) and passing touchdowns (21), while also recording 92 rushing attempts for 542 yards and four touchdowns.

He was scheduled to have made $1.073 million this season.

The contract could have widely felt repercussions for upcoming deals involving Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks and two former No. 1 overall picks, Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) and Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts). - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com