As Some NFL Stars Support Christianity, Anthem Kneeler Supports Kaep, Black Panthers on Cleats
Between the general incompetence of Commissioner Roger Goodell and the polarizing divisiveness of politics, the NFL has certainly gotten quite a bit of flak over the past several years.
The less said about Goodell’s idiocy is probably for the best.
As far as politics go, the NFL struggles on all sides of the spectrum.
Oh, an NFL executive is a Republican donor? Better be ready for some liberal outrage (and snide reports from liberal media outlets like the U.K. Guardian).
Oh, an NFL player is supporting a Democrat? Better be ready for some conservative backlash.
But to give credit where it’s due, the NFL still gets some things right. One of those things is its “My Cleats, My Cause” initiative, which allows players to add some flair to their cleats to help support a charitable cause.
Most NFL players use that initiative to send some awesome messages.
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum used his cleats to support the “Fellowship of Christian Athletes.”
Coaches have had a huge impact in my life! So this year I’m happy to support coaches and athletes in Fellowship of Christian Athletes with #MyCauseMyCleats. Learn more at https://t.co/IixMLLPiaG @BroncosOffField @UnderArmour @303custom_cleat pic.twitter.com/m6gKdx5GVT
— Case Keenum (@casekeenum) November 29, 2018
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce used his cleats to support Israel and the “Israel Collective.”
Other players have supported causes such as pediatric cancer awareness, military appreciation, anti-bullying and ALS awareness. Again, credit should be given where it’s due, and NFL players have mostly taken the “My Cleats, My Cause” initiative in a very positive and uplifting direction.
And then there are the others.
Infamous national anthem protester Eric Reid, who is both the first player to ever protest alongside Colin Kaepernick and the first Carolina Panthers player to ever kneel for the anthem, took things in a decidedly… different direction.
Reid, a Panthers safety, chose to emblazon his cleats with imagery of Kaepernick and the Black Panthers.
My cleats for tonight. Much thanks and appreciation to the artist @2cent_bmike. Here’s his take on the inspiration behind his design, “It’s a tribute to the history of protest , centered around the quote “if not us , who? If not now, when? “ meaning we all benefit and stand on… pic.twitter.com/x9PNkmwTK0
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) December 17, 2018
the shoulders of those giants who decided their moment was best used for the sake of the people. And it’s always the right time to do what’s right. No different from you using your moment to take a knee. It also has the 10 point platform of Colin’s Know Your Rights Camp.” ???
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) December 17, 2018
The cleats show Kaepernick along with Black Panthers holding up signs that included “If Not Us, Who?”, “I Know My Rights,” as well as a message that read “Panther Power.”
How is a divisive political message remotely comparable to any of the aforementioned causes?
Spoiler alert, it’s not. It would be nice to see the NFL do something about this, but Goodell and his gang seem to have adopted the “bury your head in the sand” approach to polarizing issues lately.
And on a completely football-related note, perhaps Reid should focus more on the Panthers on-field issues than off-field issues. You know, like learning how to tackle.
#gmfb@KyleBrandt
Angry run from Mark Ingram last night. pic.twitter.com/NETEy9Ff3y— ★Codeman★ (@CodyComeaux311) December 18, 2018
Carolina has now lost six straight games after losing to the New Orleans Saints 12-9 on “Monday Night Football.” The Panthers are 6-8 and have all but taken themselves out of playoff contention.
Also of note, since 2016 when Reid first began kneeling, the teams he’s played on have had a pathetic 14-32 record.
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