Ex-NFL Player Calls Anthem Protests 'Selfish,' 'Marketing' Ploys

Nick Kangadis | August 15, 2017
DONATE
Font Size

Athletes like Colin Kaepernick, Marshawn Lynch and Michael Bennett use their platforms as NFL stars to bring attention to themselves in the name of social justice. And one former NFL player is calling them out for it.

Former Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley told TMZ on Monday exactly what he thinks of players who use their athletic platforms to advance political agendas.

It’s all up to them guys, what they want to do with their career, their livelihood. I think it’s more marketing. It’s not really in their heart that they really want to do that, but once again I think it’s a selfish reason. I really do.

There are multiple ways that the social justice actions of certain players could be deemed as “selfish.”

As a result of their actions, they are taking away from the game of football. People began tuning the NFL out when former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick started kneeling during the National Anthem and wearing anti-American clothing during press conferences.

Their actions also take the focus away from the team and put the sole focus on themselves. Football, perhaps more than any other sport, is a team sport. So, when a player takes focus away the game and team, they’re proving that they are truly selfish.

Finley told TMZ:

It is the NFL, and guys do have a platform for positive reasons. As you can see, Kaepernick can’t find a job for that reason. I think, go out and play football, and do what you’re supposed to do and not worry about the worldly things that’s going on.

When asked if he thinks that Kaepernick is only doing what he’s doing for attention, Finley said, “I do.”

When it comes down to it, these men are paid to play a game. Fans pay the players' salaries, because they like to watch these men play a game. When fans begin changing the channel because some players have turned a sporting event into a political statement, then the NFL has a growing problem.

For video of Finley's comments, watch below:

 

donate