Marshawn Lynch: Those Who Have a Problem With Colin Kaepernick Are Racist
Beastmode tackles the National Anthem controversy and the recent Oklahoma police shooting.
Now that he’s retired from the NFL, Marshawn Lynch is finally talking.
On Tuesday, the former Seahawks running back who famously avoided the press in his playing days, appeared on Conan to pitch his new line of chocolate bars. He also waded into the national anthem controversy touched off by Colin Kaepernick last month.
“My take on it is, sh*t got to start somewhere, and if that was the starting point, I just hope people open up their eyes to see that it’s really a problem going on and something needs to be done for it to stop. If you’re really not racist, you won’t see what he’s doing as a threat to America, just addressing the problem that we have.”
It’s a problem that is once again in the news this week, following the killing of two black men by police in Tulsa and Charlotte. The police shooting of Terence Crutcher in Oklahoma has gotten considerable attention for the main reason police shootings of black men often do—there’s video of the fatal incident.
And that video does not cast the officers in a good light as Crutcher is seen moments before his death walking with his hands in the air. The lawyer for the cop who killed him says she feared he was reaching for a gun when she shot him.
Crutcher’s case has caught the attention of many athletes, who have made their disgust known on social media.
Just had this conversation yesterday with my brand partners. Our country is better than this. #EnoughisEnough. #TerenceCrutcher pic.twitter.com/kj88JBBefz
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 20, 2016
I don't understand how this even happens! Man is in full cooperation and hands in air, what causes shooting to kill? Disgusting, ridiculous
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) September 20, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKl2rIIBaL_
This is the exact reason for our protest. I cannot comprehend how this continues to happen. Senseless. Just senseless. #TerrenceCrutcher pic.twitter.com/sZvGeKkrBa
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) September 20, 2016
Meanwhile, Kaepernick has announced plans to follow through on his promise to donate $1 million to charity this year. According to 49ers reporter Matt Barrows, Kaepernick will give $100,000 a month for 10 months and set up a website so his donations are fully transparent.
In an interview the Sacramento Bee, Kaepernick showed that Lynch isn’t alone in his assessment of those calling out NFL players who are demonstrating during the anthem. Both men think the opposition is about skin color.
“There’s a lot of racism disguised as patriotism in this country,” he said.