“Even Fools Are Thought Wise When They Keep Silent, With Their Mouths Shut, They Seem Intelligent.”
Proverbs 17:28
On Monday, former NFL wide receiver Jermichael Finley was asked by TMZ to weigh in on NFL protests. Over the weekend, both Marshawn Lynch of the Oakland Raiders and Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks refused to stand for the national anthem, citing the Charlottesville race riots and the limp-wristed response by law enforcement, local government and the President of the United States as the reason why.
Athlete Responses To Charlottesville
Why would TMZ interview a once dynamic pass catcher who hasn’t played in the NFL since a spinal cord injury sidelined him in 2013? Perhaps it has something to do with accessibility or maybe an ideal response, but the more Finley spoke, the more it became clear that he should have just kept quiet.
Athletes are looked up to & serve as roll models, leave personal opinions about race and politics alone. Do what you get paid to do & play! Jermichael Finley (@JermichaelF88) wrote in a since deleted Tweet on August 14th.
But is it for selfish reason (marketing). Or is it FOR REAL that they care? he added later.
Finley spoke with TMZ on Monday night and elaborated on his point.
NFL’s Jermichael Finley: Marshawn Lynch’s Protest Is Phony, ‘Marketing Tool’ | TMZ Sports
Ex-NFL player Jermichael Finley says Marshawn Lynch and Michael Bennett don’t give a damn about social justice, telling TMZ Sports their national anthem protests are shameless publicity stunts. SUBSCRIBE — http://po.st/TMZSportsSubscribe About TMZ Sports: Some of the best stories in sports have been off the field and we’re reporting on athletes from NFL, NBA, UFC, WWE, MLB and more!
Its more of marketing, its not really in their heart that they really want to do that, Finley told TMZ. But once again, I think it’s a selfish reason I really do. … I think, go out and play football and do what youre supposed to do and not worry about the worldly things thats going on.
Asked if he thinks Colin Kaepernicks protest was a ploy just for attention, Finley said, I do. Hes got the afro puff, cmon man. Cut that off your head or braid it up or something.
Marketing? Image? To call Finley mentally challenged would be offensive to people who truly are mentally challenged.
Is he CTE-ridden? Perhaps, but it really just seems like plain ol negro backbiting.
No mention of the hundreds of thousands of dollars Colin Kaepernick has given to charities or the hours he has spent educating children with his Know Your Rights campaign.
If this about marketing, then its the most poorly conceived marketing campaign ever. So well just say Finleys words were among the most poorly conceived attempt at putting a brother down to suck up to the status quo in recent history.
