Sky Sports Channel Logo

NFL News

News

  • News
  • Super Bowl
  • Video
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Standings
  • Pundits
  • NFL Fantasy Football
  • Beginner's Guide
  • Sky Bet

LeBron James: Colin Kaepernick owed an apology by NFL

Last Updated: 26/06/20 11:09am

Colin Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season
Colin Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season

LeBron James believes the NFL must formally apologise to former quarterback Colin Kaepernick for the way they failed to stand by him over his anti-racism message.

The prominence of taking a knee and the Black Lives Matter protests came into sharper focus following the death of George Floyd, an African-American man, at the hands of Minneapolis police in May.

  • 'More people understanding why Kap knelt'
  • Goodell encourages NFL teams to sign Kaepernick

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has since conceded the league's handling of racism has been wrong, but that admission comes nearly four years after then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kaepernick took a knee in protest at racism and police brutality.

"As far as the NFL, I'm not in those locker rooms, I'm not with those guys, but I do understand that an apology - I have not heard a true, official apology to Colin Kaepernick on what he was going through and what he was trying to tell the NFL and tell the world about why he was kneeling when he was doing that as a San Francisco 49er," James told Bloomberg.

"I just see that to still be wrong. Now they are listening, but I still think we have not heard that official apology to a man who basically sacrificed everything for the better of this world."

LeBron James praised the work of Adam Silver and the NBA in allowing players to address matters of importance
LeBron James praised the work of Adam Silver and the NBA in allowing players to address matters of importance

Kaepernick has not played in the league since 2016 although Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn recently hinted the player is on the team's radar.

Others, including Baltimore Ravens' Matthew Judon, have questioned why the NFL did not act sooner and were not more decisive, while Terrell Owens - like James - has already called for the league to apologise.

In the NBA, James believes the league have been receptive and willing to listen when the players have something to say.

Also See:

  • Texans coach O'Brien: 'I'll take a knee'
  • Cardinals' Murray to kneel for anthem
  • Spikes: NFL had no choice but to apologise
  • NFL pledges $250m in fight against racism

"One thing I can speak for is what I'm a part of," James said. "I'm a part of a league with a great commissioner in Adam Silver and he's always listened to the voices of his players and I've always respected him for that.

"He's given us an opportunity that when we feel something that's very wrong with society, that's very wrong with what's going on in our communities, that we can speak upon that and use the NBA's shield to back us and I have nothing but respect for Adam Silver."

Trending

  • 1
    Klopp concerned by 'horrible' Liverpool defeat | Merse: 'It was cringeworthy'
  • 2
    Papers: Ten Hag preparing Man Utd clear out to make way for Kane and Rice
  • 3
    Transfer Centre LIVE! Pep leaves door open for Cancelo return
  • 4
    Ten Hag: Palace did worse than Casemiro | Ayew 'definitely' deserved red
  • 5
    Guardiola exclusive: Lessons from Cruyff and letting Cancelo go
  • 6
    How Anfield 'brain drain' has hurt Klopp's Liverpool
  • 7
    Bale impresses at Pebble Beach but will miss out on final round
  • 8
    Hits and misses: No time for panic at Arsenal | Dyche's dream start
  • 9
    Marsch: It's taken too long to get Leeds where I want - but we're ready now
  • 10
    Why Casemiro's name is spelt wrong on Man Utd shirt
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2023 Sky UK