Posted on 08/10/2017 12:09:22 AM PDT by Impala64ssa
Thousands of football fans around the country are threatening to boycott the NFL this season if Colin Kaepernick doesn't end up signing with a team.
The fans are voicing their displeasure with the league through a petition on Change.org. The petition calls for fans to boycott the NFL if "Colin Kaepernick doesn't play this season."
From the petition:
"We understand the NFL is very important to you. We also understand the purpose of Colin Kaepernick's protest is FAR more important than any games you will ever watch. Simply put, if things stay the same for the way America -- where 'all men are created equal' -- treats people of color, then your loved ones, friends, and children will eventually be affected as well."
The petition has been up for nearly two weeks now and has already garnered more than 130,000 signatures. That's 130,000 people who have promised not to "watch any games" or "buy any merchandise."
"If you are appalled by [Kaepernick not signing], then show your power by boycotting the NFL until Kaepernick gets signed to a team," the petition states. "This means to not watch any games, no social media comments about your favorite team before/during/after the games, don't attend the stadiums, and don't buy any merchandise which represents the league or your favorite team.
Kaepernick spent the 2016 season kneeling for the national anthem as a way to protest police brutality and racial injustice, and since becoming a free agent, he hasn't been able to find a team that will hire him.
The quarterback opted out of his contract with the 49ers on March 1, and has only taken one official visit during his three months of free agency (with the Seawhawks). In that same period, several quarterbacks have signed free agent contracts, including Mark Sanchez, Josh McCown, Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Blaine Gabbert and Case Keenum.
Although Kaepernick was reportedly in contact with the Ravens and Dolphins after Joe Flacco (back) and Ryan Tannehill (knee) went down, neither team brought him in for a workout. Despite the fact that teams have been passing over Kaepernick for lesser quarterbacks, Roger Goodell has insisted that Kaepernick's not being blackballed. Even if he's not technically being blackballed, several owners have admitted that they're taking the opinion of their fans into account when it comes to Kaepernick.
Earlier this offseason, Giants co-owner John Mara said hundreds of fans threatened to boycott the team if the Giants signed Kaepernick. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said he would have to talk to fans and sponsors before possibly signing Kaepernick.
Kaepernick's situation has been a black eye for the NFL, and it's something that seems to be coming more of an issue as we inch closer to the start of the regular season.
Besides the Change.org petition, Kaepernick has also received support from Spike Lee.
The director announced this week that he would he holding a rally in Kaepernick's honor at NFL headquarters on Wednesday.
Well, fine then. If “all men are created equal” then I DEMAND my 65 year old couch potato husband who has never played a down of football in his life, be given a $5 million contract and a position on my favorite team. I’m starting a petition. Who’s with me? After all, that’s only “fair” right?
I think millions of us stopped watching because he did play.
I still won’t be watching.
NFL: Negros, Felons, and Liberals. No one else desired.
If a team signed Kaepernick and a million fans signed a petition saying they would boycott the NFL, the media wouldn’t even report it.
I second that. I will sign a petition to boycott watching NFL games if Kaepernick is signed. He is a disgrace to our country.
And about a million others will boycott if he DOES get hired!
No, the REAL reason C.K. isn’t signed for the 2017
Season is last year he had a quarterback rating of 90.7, completed 59.2 percent of his passes, and threw for 16 touchdown with four interceptions.Those numbers, other than the touchdown passes to interceptions ratio, aren’t outstanding.
LOL
I’ve just about given up on all professional sports, too many thugs and too much posturing, bluster and showing off generally. Will occasionally watch golf and some tennis except for grunters. I turn off tennis at the first grunt.
Fine. Let’s launch a COUNTER-petition, and see who gets the most signatures...
Lol!!!
I cannot see the NFL falling for this. They are not that stupid. They have got to see through this. Just count the signatures at the end and compare them to those who have already shown they will not be listening.
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