
Super Bowl 2019 is one of the biggest cultural events in America and it started off with criticism levelled against the NFL - and it's got to do with Colin Kaepernick.
February is Black History Month in America and NFL decided to use footage of Dr Martin Luther King to celebrate civil rights heroes.
The NFL’s decision is awkward, people were quick to point out, because Colin Kaepernick, the man behind the ‘taking a knee’ campaign to protest brutality against black people in America, remains unsigned.
Before the coin was tossed, CBS showed a collection of photos of King and had some of his most famous speeches playing in the background.
A significant moment. My mission is #JusticeForAll. Humanity is turning the tide and our efforts must include bridg… https://t.co/OLHxghpeQl— Be A King (@Be A King) 1549237272
Bernice King, the preacher’s youngest child, as well as Democrat congressman John Lewis and activist Andrew Young were honoured with the chance to join the team captains on the field. King tossed the coin to kick start the game.
But it was the NFL’s use of MLK that got lots of Kaepernick fans’ backs up
The NFL really did that MLK ad like we forgot about Colin Kaepernick.— Janan (@Janan) 1549236648
"Hello America! Here's our MLK tribute. Also, Colin Kaepernick, you're not welcome here." - The NFL #SuperBowl— Jeff Howe (@Jeff Howe) 1549236565
Oh the absolute fucking disrespect of the NFL using a voiceover of MLK Jr. and trotting out his daughter and John L… https://t.co/iDE3fV6ljj— Zito (@Zito) 1549236619
Other people refused to watch the Super Bowl in protest
I will not be a spectator, viewer or supporter of the #SuperBowl today in protest of the @NFL’s racist treatment of… https://t.co/QmIhzAzMeJ— Ava DuVernay (@Ava DuVernay) 1549210404
How you gonna have an MLK callout for a league which has blackballed a player for protesting police oppression?— Craig Newman (@Craig Newman) 1549236575
And wear Kaepernick's number 7 jersey in solidarity
🔥🔥🔥 @KingJames https://t.co/yVGfMJDepT— Colin Kaepernick (@Colin Kaepernick) 1549114338
Thank you to my Brother @KDTrey5 for rockin with me, especially this week! https://t.co/cTl76CrpsY— Colin Kaepernick (@Colin Kaepernick) 1549043149
My Brother @FCHWPO has always known what’s up! https://t.co/IFuAwT80EP— Colin Kaepernick (@Colin Kaepernick) 1549228905
The greatest shooter of all time. #factsonly https://t.co/L9ESTmyxK8— Chamillionaire (@Chamillionaire) 1549159238
Yall see what we’re doing today. Support @kaepernick7 today by participating in the #7Challenge and donate $7 to… https://t.co/4vs8RAGLgt— Eric Reid (@Eric Reid) 1549211217
It means the world to me to have the support of John Carlos, an Icon who paved the way for myself and many others t… https://t.co/mRWuL31rT8— Colin Kaepernick (@Colin Kaepernick) 1549243184
Kaepernick is currently a free agent who hit headlines in 2016 when it was noticed that he was sitting down during the US national anthem, which is played before the start of a game.
He explained after the game that he was protesting the treatment of black people and other ethnicities in the United States by police and the overall racial inequality in the country.
The protests continued throughout the 2016-17 season with more players taking the knee or sitting down during the anthem.
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