Colin Kaepernick Critiques Trump Administration on “The View”

Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback, spoke candidly about his experiences during an appearance on “The View,” where he took aim at the Trump administration’s political ties with the NFL. He suggested that the league’s response to his protest during the national anthem reflected its political stance.

During the discussion, co-host Ana Navarro reminded Kaepernick of the circumstances surrounding his departure from the 49ers, including his collusion lawsuit against the NFL, which alleged that team owners effectively blackballed him. She asked, “Looking back, what do you think was the reason that not a single team would give you a chance to play for them?”

Kaepernick pointed to the intersection of politics and power, stating, “I think it was political. I also think it was power.” He elaborated, explaining that his protest was not directly against the NFL itself, but rather a reflection of their political affiliations, particularly noting their financial support for Trump.

Co-host Sunny Hostin joined in, emphasizing the mixed response to Kaepernick’s protest, which included both significant support and notable backlash, including boycotts of the league. Kaepernick highlighted the power players have within the league, suggesting that if they collectively refrained from playing for just one weekend, it could lead to major changes.

He also addressed the backlash he received, including death threats, as co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin reminded him of the anger from some individuals who felt he was disrespecting the flag and military. Kaepernick’s reaction was somewhat ambivalent as he admitted to being both surprised and not surprised by the backlash.

“I think my years growing up were formative,” he reflected, mentioning historical instances of backlash against Black athletes protesting. He found the pushback against calls to stop police violence against Black people particularly striking, stating, “That doesn’t feel like a controversial topic to me.” He expressed disbelief at the level of opposition to what he considers a fundamental issue of safety and equality.

As of now, the NFL and the White House have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding Kaepernick’s statements.

In recent discussions, Kaepernick has declared that he no longer supports the NFL, stating that he cannot back an organization that ostracizes him and targets other players who protest. “I watch college football,” he added, indicating a departure from supporting the professional league.