Roger Goodell encourages NFL teams to sign Colin Kaepernick

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Roger Goodell encourages NFL teams to sign Colin Kaepernick

“Well, listen, if he wants to pursue a career in the NFL, then he’s obviously going to need a team to make that decision,” Goodell said. “But I welcome that, support the club in making that decision and encourage them to do so.”

Goodell’s video, in response to NFL players calling on the league to condemn racism and support its black players, did not mention Kaepernick, an omission for which criticized the commissioner.

Referring to Kaepernick in an interview with ESPN, Goodell said: “If his efforts are not in the field, but continue to work in this space, we welcome him (him) to that table and he will be able to help and guide us, help us bring better decisions about the types of things that need to be done in communities. “

Kaepernick had been invited to those talks before, Goodell said.

“We want to make sure everyone is welcome at that table and trying to help us get rid of some very complex, difficult issues that have unfortunately been present for a long time,” Goodell said. “But I hope we are now at a time when everyone is committed to achieving long-term, sustainable change.”

NFL debates come as the nation has been gripped by protests and talks about police brutality and racism following death George Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Louisville and Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta, at the hands of the police.
Kaepernick did not play in the league from the 2016 season – the same season in which he first sat while playing the National Anthem. The protest grew to its knees after the former Seattle Seahawk and Green Beret Nate Boyer assured Kaepernick that it would be a tribute to the National Army.

Kaepernick, who led the 49ers to the 2013 Super Bowl, played his last game on January 1, 2017. After that, he became a free agent.

No team offered him a contract and that October he filed a complaint against the league. Kaepernick accused NFL team owners of fraud to prevent him from signing. The NFL denied any negotiations, but in 2019. they reached a settlement with Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid, who knelt with him.
In November 2019. Kaepernick canceled an NFL practice in Atlanta after his representatives said his request to create a film crew was denied. The workout ended in Riverdale, Georgia.

CNN’s Chloe Melas, Steve Almasy, Andy Scholes and David Close contributed to this report.

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