NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday said that he would welcome exiled quarterback Colin Kaepernick back into the league in any capacity, including as a player.
Goodell told ESPN.com that he encourages teams to sign the 32-year-old former San Francisco 49ers player, and invited Kaepernick’s input on racial and social programs that are being run by the league.
“If he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it’s gonna take a team to make that decision, but I welcome that, support a club making that decision, and encourage them to do that,” Goodell said. “If his efforts are not on the field, but continuing to work in this space, we welcome him to that table and to help us, guide us, help us make better decisions about the kinds of things that need to be done in the communities. We have invited him in before, and we want to make sure that everybody’s welcome at that table, and trying to help us deal with some very complex, difficult issues, that have been around for a long time, but I hope we’re at a point now where everybody’s committed to making long-term, sustainable change.”
Photo: AP
Goodell earlier this month said that the league was wrong to silence player protests as it responded to calls from a group of players to issue an explicit condemnation of racism.
In an earlier video message posted on social media, Goodell said that the NFL would support peaceful protests from players, but asked about US President Donald Trump’s comment that indicated Goodell might be too soft on players who in Trump’s view disrespect the flag, Goodell dodged the question.
“I can’t answer that,” he said.
Asked what his relationship with Trump is like, Goodell would only say: “He recognizes the input of sports and that we can be part of a wave to bring some normalcy to our communities.”
Kaepernick filed a grievance with the NFL in 2017 alleging owners conspired to keep him out of the league after he sparked a kneeling campaign to protest treatment of blacks in the US.
He settled for an undisclosed amount of money in February last year.
That same month multiple US media outlets reported that Kaepernick was in talks with the Alliance of American Football about a job, but wanted a guaranteed US$20 million per season. At the time quarterbacks were making an average of US$250,000 a year.
Kaepernick has not played in the NFL in four years. In 12 games with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, he completed 59.2 percent of his passes, threw 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.
During the 2012 season, he led the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII, a 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Goodell also reacted on Monday to reports in the US media that some players with the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys had tested positive for COVID-19.
“Positive tests are going to happen,” Goodell said. “The issue is, can we obviously prevent as many of those from happening, but in addition, treat them quickly, isolate them and prevent them from directly impacting our player personnel. So none of those players were in the facilities. All of those players, fortunately, have had either mild symptoms or are asymptomatic.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely