SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 02: (L-R) Eli Harold #58, Colin Kaepernick #7 and Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel on the sideline during the National Anthem prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Russell Wilson recently showed his support for Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful anthem protests.
With all of the protests taking place in honor of George Floyd and for awareness of racial injustices, more and more people are coming out in support of Colin Kaepernick for his decision to kneel during the National Anthem when he was still in the NFL.
Even Drew Brees, who originally said he couldn’t respect someone for kneeling during the anthem, has admitted he now understands the protests aren’t about disrespecting the American flag, but are more about protesting racial injustices.
Now, Seattle Seahawks quarterback and Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson has also come out and backed Kaepernick for his actions in previous years. Wilson didn’t hold back in a recent zoom call with the media.
Russell Wilson says there has to be “radical changes” to our system. Says Colin Kaepernick was standing up for something way greater than was understood at the time. pic.twitter.com/XKQ5Z5AWLj
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) June 3, 2020
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson wants to keep Colin Kaepernick’s message going
“We all need to find our own ways of how we’re going to love and how we’re going to make a difference, and everybody may do it differently,” Wilson said in the video above. “I don’t know what everybody’s going to do and how they’re going to do it, but it’s calling for people to understand what’s really going on.
“It’s heavy on me because I think the reality is with Colin, in particular, is he was trying to symbolize the right thing. People may have taken that the wrong way, but I think he was trying to do the right thing.”
Pete Carroll previously also backed Kaepernick, saying he believed the former 49ers signal caller was taking a stand for something he strongly believed in. While Kaepernick hasn’t played since 2016, he continues to make an impact on the league as being the first player to peacefully protest during the National Anthem.
Pete Carroll said “we owe a tremendous amount” to Colin Kaepernick for taking a stand against police brutality and racial oppression. https://t.co/YlLlbCy8GH pic.twitter.com/f0DhkpnuYk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 3, 2020
Leading up to the 2020 season, numerous players have said they’re planning to do so as well following the death of Floyd. And if any Seahawks players decide to do so, it looks like Wilson will be supportive of that decision.