Appearing on former NFL player Emmanuel Acho for Acho's video series, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, Roger Goodell revisited the topic of Colin Kaepernick and the reason behind his protest while he was still an active player in the National Football League. Goodell reiterated a sentiment he expressed earlier this summer in saying he wished the league would've listened to Kaepernick sooner.
"Well, the first thing I'd say is I wish we had listened earlier, Kap, to what you were kneeling about and what you were trying to bring attention to," said Goodell. "We had invited him in several times to have the conversation, to have the dialogue. I wish we had the benefit of that. We never did. We would've benefited from it, absolutely."
Goodell's recent comments come on the heels of a statement released in June that acknowledged the systemic oppression of Black people which was at the heart of Kap's protest. That official statement read:
"We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier, and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter. [...] I personally protest with you and want to be a part of the much-needed change in this country. Without black players, there would be no National Football League, And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality, and oppression of black players, coaches, fans, and staff. We are listening, I am listening, and I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family."
Source: twitter.com
