Colin Kaepernick returns to the NFL field in EA’s popular video game, “Madden NFL.”
Colin Kaepernick returns to @EAMaddenNFL for first time since the 2016 season. https://t.co/RdiG5zKMPg pic.twitter.com/569yt2xwE1
— Andscape (@andscape) September 8, 2020
It’s been four years since Kaepernick last played for an NFL team. He’s been blackballed since kneeling for the anthem to bring light to social injustice and police brutality. At the time he was vilified. But after the George Floyd killing sparked protests and reckoning in this country concerning race relations and systemic racism, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted that the league made a mistake with how they handled Kaepernick, the peaceful player protests and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Roger Goodell and the NFL say they "were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest” @brgridiron
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/jyRJv5pGnI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 5, 2020
This was back in June when the heat was turned up and NFL players were hinting at boycotts and protests that would affect the NFL season. Fast forward to September, as the NFL season kicks off this week, Kaepernick is unemployed. Fans of the quarterback will have to settle with using him in the video game. Some might say it’s a start. Others will say it is just a slap in the face to every Black player in the league.
Kaepernick will be available to users in Play Now and Franchise mode.
“Colin Kaepernick is one of the top free agents in football and a starting-caliber quarterback. The team at EA Sports, along with millions of Madden fans, want to see him back in our game,” EA said in a statement.
— Madden NFL 24 (@EAMaddenNFL) September 8, 2020
Yes, the youth of this country and people who support social justice in this country want to see Kaepernick back in the game. The owners, right-wing politicians, and those pushing an agenda of oppression and “shut up and play” continue to come up with excuses as to why he isn’t playing in the NFL.
