Colin Kaepernick blasts NFL's 'propaganda' on supporting black people

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick chided the NFL for the social justice messages the league promoted during the season's first Sunday of football.

Kaepernick, who last played in the league in 2016, accused the NFL of blackballing former Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid, who had knelt during the national anthem alongside Kapernick when they were both members of the San Francisco 49ers. Reid had a standout season with the Panthers in 2019, but the team opted to cut him during the off-season, and he has remained unsigned.

"While the NFL runs propaganda about how they care about Black Life, they are still actively blackballing Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) [sic] for fighting for the Black community," Kaepernick tweeted on Sunday. "Eric set 2 franchise records last year, and is one of the best defensive players in the league."

Kaepernick began kneeling during the "Star-Spangled Banner" in 2016 to raise awareness about police brutality and systemic racism. Reid was one of the first and only players to kneel along with Kaepernick, who was out of the league after that season. Many players in the NFL and in other sports leagues carried on the tradition in the years that followed, drawing the ire of President Trump and conservatives who accused them of disrespecting the flag and the military.

In June, as the protests surrounding George Floyd's death gained steam nationally, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized for the league's earlier position opposing players kneeling during the national anthem.

"We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black People. 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," Goodell said in a video statement. "I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much-needed change in this country."

During the first week of the regular season this year, the league allowed players to promote social justice causes or to honor those who have been affected by police brutality with messages on their helmets. The phrases "It Takes All of Us" and "End Racism" were painted on either end of the field of play. The league also arranged for “Lift Every Voice and Sing,’’ widely known as the black national anthem, to play before each game.