Rare News Desk
Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice has reversed course on his opinion of Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest.
RELATED: One of the greatest football players of all time stands behind Colin Kaepernick “100 percent”
The San Francisco 49ers legend initially tweeted that he respected Kaepernick’s stance but felt that “all lives” mattered.
https://twitter.com/JerryRice/status/770451825921105920
Kaepernick, who currently plays for the 49ers, has protested saluting the flag since August, citing ongoing issues of racism and police brutality in America.
Rice eventually said he was not against Kaepernick, but did not want to dishonor the flag.
https://twitter.com/JerryRice/status/771800247005646848
Tuesday, Rice appeared to change his mind a bit. He tweeted that he supports Kaepernick for “bringing awareness for injustice.” Rice added that he hopes the country can reach a solution.
https://twitter.com/JerryRice/status/778301857529606144
The tweet comes as many Twitter users bombarded Rice and other celebrities who have been vocal critics of Kaepernick’s protest. Drew Brees, Boomer Esiason, and Kate Upton were flooded with tweets following the shooting death of Terence Crutcher in Oklahoma. Crutcher was killed by police after his car was broken down in the middle of a Tulsa road.
Critics said Rice and the others went silent on the very issue of police brutality that Kaepernick had been raising all along.
https://twitter.com/XLNB/status/778508386585354240
Hey Trent Dilfer, Kate Upton and all you others who so quickly slammed Colin Kaepernick. Why so silent now? https://t.co/KwvXfvneyS
— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) September 20, 2016
Where you at, @drewbrees? Time to step up, fellow Boilermaker. Say you were wrong. Take a stand for what's right.https://t.co/0dfwTMlQNf
— Andrew Scott (@_AndrewScott) September 21, 2016
Dear @RobLowe @KateUpton @drewbrees
67 people were killed by police since Kaepernick began to protest. I await your statement.
Kidding…
— Thick James (@TheREAL_MBrooks) September 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/GrooveSDC/status/777978539198910464
Kaepernick has been joined by other athletes who took a knee during the anthem or raised a fist in solidarity.
