Tuesday morning, NBC Sports analyst and former NFL star Rodney Harrison called out San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his decision to sit during the playing of the national anthem, but his racially charged comments were almost as hot and controversial as Kaepernick's decision to take a seat over the weekend.
On Houston’s ‘Proper Gentlemen of Sports’ program on KBME Radio, Sportstalk 790, Harrison said that while he thought Kaepernick had the right to stand up for his beliefs, there are consequences, and possibly backlash for what he says and does.
“If he really wants to make change, sitting his butt down on the bench, that’s not going to ‘change,’” Harrison said. “That’s going to get people very upset and he has to understand that.”
Harrison went on to point out that many people served under the flag to preserve the freedoms and liberties that Americans live under, and that provide the opportunity for him (Kaepernick) to make the money he makes as a football player.
“I tell you this – I’m a black man. And Colin Kaepernick, he’s not black,” Harrison said. “He cannot what I face, and what other young black men and people of color face on a every single (day) basis.”
Harrison went on to describe walking into a store and having people look at him, as if he were going to steal something, despite having a large sum of money in his pocket, and wanting to make a purchase.
“If he wants to make change, perhaps write a check out of that $11 million salary and donate it toward a cause or something like that for people who are fighting injustices against people of color,” Harrison said. “That’s how you make change. And I’m not just saying write a check, but sitting down during the national anthem, you’re offending a lot of people who sacrificed and died for the freedoms we have right now.”
Kaepernick, who is biracial, has been under the gun in trying to keep his job as starting quarterback for the 49ers.
ESPN basketball studio host Sage Steele, who is also biracial, quickly tweeted Harrison, saying “ppl like u claim us biracial kids when it’s convenient for u. That’s a racist dbl standard. Sad.”
.@Rodney_Harrison ..ppl like u claim us biracial kids when it's convenient for u. That's a racist, dbl standard. Sad https://t.co/t6kGHLiTx9
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) August 30, 2016
Harrison later attempted an apology on Twitter, but his message still left many upset:
“I never intended to offend anyone, I was trying to speak about my experiences as a African American.”
I never intended to offend anyone , I was trying to speak about my experiences as a African American.
— Rodney Harrison (@Rodney_Harrison) August 30, 2016
And later saying,
“I apologize to anyone that I offended, wasn’t meant to be hurtful to anyone. God bless”
I apologize to anyone that I offended , wasn't meant to be hurtful to anyone. God bless
— Rodney Harrison (@Rodney_Harrison) August 30, 2016
And finally:
“Last point I want people to know. I never even knew he was mixed.”
Last point I want people to know. I never even knew he was mixed.
— Rodney Harrison (@Rodney_Harrison) August 30, 2016
A final apology came a bit later:
I should not have called Colin Kaepernick’s race into question during this morning’s radio interview. It was a mistake and I apologize.
— Rodney Harrison (@Rodney_Harrison) August 30, 2016
No word if this is the end of the sordid saga or if more conversation is yet to come on the matter from Harrison or anyone else involved.
Both radio hosts - Lance Zierlein and Matt Thomas - did note that Harrison is going to be a regular fixture on their show throughout the NFL season, and that he is definitely not one to hold his tongue.
