LeBron James says the NFL owes an apology to Colin Kaepernick. In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, the NBA star says that he believes the league is doing a better job at listening to their Black players, but they should make an official apology to Kaep.
“As far as the NFL, I’m not in those locker rooms, I’m not with those guys, but I do understand that an apology — I have not heard a true, official apology to Colin Kaepernick on what he was going through and what he was trying to tell the NFL and tell the world about why he was kneeling when he was doing that as a San Francisco 49er,” he said.
He continued, “I just see that to still be wrong. Now they are listening some, but I still think we have not heard that official apology to a man who basically sacrificed everything for the better of this world.”
Earlier this month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement acknowledging that the league was wrong for not taking the racism and police brutality concerns of their players earlier.
“We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black people. We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier, and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest,” he said. “We, the National Football League, believe Black lives matter. I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much needed change in this country.”
“Without Black players, there would be no National Football League. And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of Black players, coaches, fans and staff,” he continued. “We are listening, I am listening and I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family.”
Watch a clip from the interview below.