Colin Kaepernick likened the NFL draft to slavery, saying no dignity is “left intact.”
During his Netflix special, Kaepernick argued, “What they don’t want you to understand is what’s being established is a power dynamic.”
He continued, “Before they put you on the field, teams poke, prod and examine you searching for any defect that might affect your performance. No boundary respected. No dignity left intact.”
The special shows a group of prospective NFL players walk off the field and proceed to line up near an auction platform.
The auctioneer adds, “Look at this here! Come on! Who wants this?”
Watch the video below:
Colin Kaepernick, in his new Netflix special, compares NFL training camps to slavery. pic.twitter.com/bu5C2alild
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) October 30, 2021
Kaepernick’s remarks sparked strong reactions from some on Twitter.
Colin Kaepernick compares the NFL combine, which allows all players of all races a voluntary chance to become multi-millionaires, to slavery. Anyone still defending this imbecile lacks a functional brain. pic.twitter.com/rMaKi7c6xh
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 30, 2021
Colin Kaepernick is hot racist garbage.
— Lavern Spicer (@lavern_spicer) October 31, 2021
Colin Kaepernick compares the NFL to slavery, complete with dramatized footage. Note: The average NFL player makes $900,000 per year, with some making up to $20 million. He leaves that part out. pic.twitter.com/QBYEVzaRhc
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) October 31, 2021
Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) tweeted, “How dare [Colin Kaepernick] compare the evil endured by so many of our ancestors to a bunch of millionaires who CHOSE to play game.”
How dare @Kaepernick7 compare the evil endured by so many of our ancestors to a bunch of millionaires who CHOSE to play game. https://t.co/fy01QlVV2f
— Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) October 30, 2021
Former NFL player Jack Brewer told Fox News, “This new Colin Kaepernick doctrine that’s penetrating the minds and hearts of so many of our underserved Black kids across America is the single largest threat to Black men in the United States of America because right now folks are thinking that they’re victims and they’re living in the most prosperous, the most opportunity of any country in the world.”
He continued, “He has an evil, anti-American spirit and it’s sick and disgusting. One more thing. That even Netflix, someone that big and popular would even put something out like that, to penetrate the mind of these kids should be illegal.”
Kaepernick made headlines in 2016 when he refused to stand for the national anthem.
“I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed,” Kaepernick said.
He added, “Ultimately, it’s to bring awareness and make people realize what’s really going on in this country.”
Kaepernick claimed there are a lot of things “going on that are unjust, people aren’t being held accountable for.”
According to Netflix, Kaepernick’s special recounts “his formative years navigating race, class and culture while aspiring for greatness.”
