Yesterday during Super Bowl LV, Former NFL player-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick started trending on Twitter after the NFL released a commercial about its social justice initiatives.
The Inspire Change commercial featured clips of demonstrations against racial inequality and police brutality, as well as the Hall of Fame speech by LaDanian Tomlinson discussing how football brings people together. In a display of unity and kneeling on the sidelines, the ad featured players bearing the names of victims of police violence on the back of their helmets, as well as players locking arms in solidarity.
While our season is ending, our fight for equity is not.
It takes all of us to create change and advance social justice.
Learn more at https://t.co/1n7GSdNDx6. #InspireChange pic.twitter.com/NdKd8JkW1W
— Inspire Change (@InspireChange) February 8, 2021
But absent from the ad was Kaepernick, who began his advocacy during the 2016 season when he protested to raise awareness of racial inequality and police violence during the national anthem.
The commercial said, “The NFL is committing $250 million to help end systemic racism”–which is a slap in the face to Kaepernick, who has since been blackballed from the industry.
Fans were not here for the NFL’s commercial, and Twitter users were not afraid to express their opinions and show their love and support to the former 49ers quarterback:
Happy Colin Kaepernick Appreciation Day!
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) February 8, 2021
a reminder that colin kaepernick is still unemployed by the same nfl that is now showcasing social justice all day at the #SuperBowl.
— Andrew Baback Boozary (@drandrewb) February 7, 2021
NFL's commercial promoting their commitment to social justice notably missing Colin Kaepernick…
— Shanlon Wu (@shanlonwu) February 8, 2021
In that Inspire Change commercial, the NFL forgot to show the part where they blackballed Colin Kaepernick, have only 3 black NFL head coaches and no majority black ownership.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 8, 2021
Listen, I'm as pumped and proud as anyone about the conversations within the @nfl about race and social justice.
However, it is really hard to hear the announcers say such wonderful things about these players when the league blacklisted @Kaepernick7 ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 #ColinKaepernick
— Brenna Morrissey (@bmo7139) February 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/jordanmuller/status/1358550177666265097?s=20
It’s easy to speak up when everyone is doing it. Much harder to be the first. On this Super Bowl Sunday, salute to you @Kaepernick7 for your leadership, courage, and sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/WTyZw1HNhh
— Michael Tubbs (@MichaelDTubbs) February 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/yagirlcinthia/status/1358588092291162119?s=20
The NFL just aired a commercial about fighting against systemic racism.
And yet, the NFL still has Kaepernick blackballed for taking a knee in the name of racial justice.
This is textbook gaslighting.
— Simran Jeet Singh (@simran) February 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/ava/status/1358530012295557120?s=20
If I were Colin Kaepernick it be on sight every time I saw a Social Justice commercial air for The NFL
— Ashlyn #sistasactinuppodcast (@ashlynknwsbest) February 8, 2021
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