Former NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart: Vikings should sign Colin Kaepernick
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/05/30/former-nfl-spokesman-joe-lockhart-vikings-should-sign-colin-kaepernick/
Former White House press secretary Joe Lockhart served as the NFL’s primary spokesperson during the anthem controversy in 2017. He has become the first current or former league executive to make a clear, candid statement about the league’s approach to free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Lockhart, in a column posted at CNN.com, argues that the Vikings should sign Kaepernick.
In the column, Lockhart summarizes the anthem controversy and Kaepernick’s role in launching the protests as a way to bring awareness to the mistreatment of African-Americans and people of color by law-enforcement authorities. Although not every single factual assertion is accurate (e.g., Kaepernick did not have “several” workouts with NFL teams . . . in reality, he has had no workouts with any teams but just a single visit to the Seahawks), Lockhart peels back the curtain on the things that transpired as the league and its franchises tried to grapple with the issues arising from the protests and Kaepernick’s lingering unemployment.
“Kaepernick was not blocked because the league wanted to punish him for setting off the protests,” Lockhart asserts. And he’s right, as it relates to the league office. But the teams ignored the league’s “prodding and pushing” to get Kaepernick a job — due directly to fears over fan reaction to hiring someone who set off the protests.
“Signing Kaepernick, they thought, was bad for business,” Lockhart writes. “An executive from one team that considered signing Kaepernick told me the team projected losing 20% of their season ticket holders if they did.”
So while the refusal to do business with Kaepernick may not have been go-to-bed-without-supper-style discipline because of his protests, he received adverse treatment (i.e., the cold shoulder) from 32 NFL teams because of his protests.
Lockhart explains that he justified the unemployment of Kaepernick at the time by focusing on the “millions” being spent by the league “to help address the problem of racial division in the country.” Lockhart admits in his column that he was wrong.
“I know now it was not enough just to spend money to make progress on the issue of racial disparities,” Lockhart writes. “That is crucial, but so are symbols that reflect that attempt at progress — and also the failure to reach it. And Colin Kaepernick became the symbol of black men being treated differently than white men in America.”
The column builds to Lockhart arguing that, given the presence of the Vikings in the epicenter of the current controversy, the Vikings should sign Kaepernick.
He’d definitely fit the offense; the Broncos flirted with trading for Kaepernick in 2016, when Vikings offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak was Denver’s head coach. Still, it’s unlikely that Kaepernick would fit the budget. If offered a job as a backup to Kirk Cousins, one of the highest paid players in the league, Kaepernick would have to take far less than the $12 million that he made in his final season with the 49ers, or the $20 million that he reportedly wanted from the AAF or the XFL. Given the team’s salary-cap situation, the Vikings possibly would be limited to offering Kaepernick a deal for the veteran minimum.
Lockhart likely hasn’t analyzed the situation from a football perspective, however. He’s simply connecting two large dots between Minneapolis and the football team that plays there.
And so the better argument is that someone (not necessarily the Vikings) should offer Kaepernick a contract for 2020. Even then, the current inability to give him a physical or an in-person workout due to the pandemic complicates any effort to move quickly.
It doesn’t stop any team from making a statement immediately that Kaepernick is invited to visit, to submit to a physical to work out, and possibly to enter into contract negotiations as soon as facilities open. Given the broader societal circumstances and the fact that the issues for which Kaepernick protested have reached an obvious tipping point, the potential damage to a team’s bottom line should be far less now than it would have been in 2017.
Especially if, due to the pandemic, fans won’t be attending games, anyway.
Kaepernick's protest didn't have a damn thing to do with the military or veterans.
It was a protest about inequality in the United States, which by the way, is also represented by the flag and national anthem.
@"1VikesFan" said: Kaepernick's protest didn't have a damn thing to do with the military or veterans.It was a protest about inequality in the United States, which by the way, is also represented by the flag and national anthem.
Not all military see it that way, some do and are fine with it..I know and have talked to several, but I also know of many service people that view the flag and the anthem as symbols of their service and sacrifices to their country.
I dont think one groups views should take precedence over the others, but I do wish kap would have found a different way to make his statement than one that angers and offends any of our veterans and military at a personal level.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"1VikesFan" said: Kaepernick's protest didn't have a damn thing to do with the military or veterans.It was a protest about inequality in the United States, which by the way, is also represented by the flag and national anthem.
Not all military see it that way, some do and are fine with it..I know and have talked to several, but I also know of many service people that view the flag and the anthem as symbols of their service and sacrifices to their country.I dont think one groups views should take precedence over the others, but I do wish kap would have found a different way to make his statement than one that angers and offends any of our veterans and military at a personal level.
I realize that a lot of vets were upset but like any protest people are are going to be upset and ideally the protest will create discussion.My point on Kaepernick's protest is that not nearly enough discourse took place in regards to what he was actually protesting and more effort was spend on how insulted everyone was.
@"1VikesFan" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"1VikesFan" said: Kaepernick's protest didn't have a damn thing to do with the military or veterans.It was a protest about inequality in the United States, which by the way, is also represented by the flag and national anthem.
Not all military see it that way, some do and are fine with it..I know and have talked to several, but I also know of many service people that view the flag and the anthem as symbols of their service and sacrifices to their country.I dont think one groups views should take precedence over the others, but I do wish kap would have found a different way to make his statement than one that angers and offends any of our veterans and military at a personal level.
I realize that a lot of vets were upset but like any protest people are are going to be upset and ideally the protest will create discussion.My point on Kaepernick's protest is that not nearly enough discourse took place in regards to what he was actually protesting and more effort was spend on how insulted everyone was.
The discourse needs to be civil, now I never heard kap take an aggressive tone in his comments, ( I personally didnt care for the pig socks) but those that he was representing for were much more confrontational and offensive in delivering that message. Peaceful discussion will bring growth, the rage and violence will only create bitterness and further the divide IMO.I think real leadership will work with the police to change the culture that allows what we saw last week and to many times in the past to exist, however it's a two way street, we need to quit raising our kids with anger and disrespect towards the badge. Maybe if we could change the perception. ( as I am told) of the police by the inner city minorities then we could see more of those youth work towards careers in law enforcement which could return faith to that occupation in those communities which would help lower the over all crime rates of those areas through better cooperation and ultimately improve those areas as places to live.
Edit: I have said for years that there is a vacuum of leadership in this particular area, i have been watching the 3 major news agencies today and they have had many many interviews and there are certainly many many people that could fill those leadership roles from the black American community, and some that shouldn't be, but maybe those with good strong minds and voices can keep their podium in the days, weeks, and months to follow we can finally see some real change and hope for our future in this country in regards to race relations. Maybe Kaepernick can refocus his efforts to help get these strong articulate black Americans a seat at the table to foster peaceful, meaningful, and real change.
@"1VikesFan" said: Kaepernick's protest didn't have a damn thing to do with the military or veterans.It was a protest about inequality in the United States, which by the way, is also represented by the flag and national anthem.
Cause only liberal groups have the right to pick and choose what they’re offended by. A military vet hasn’t earned that.
@"Waterboy" said:@"1VikesFan" said: Kaepernick's protest didn't have a damn thing to do with the military or veterans.It was a protest about inequality in the United States, which by the way, is also represented by the flag and national anthem.
Cause only liberal groups have the right to pick and choose what they’re offended by. A military vet hasn’t earned that.
Okay, if you say so.
@"Waterboy" said:@"Skodin" said:@"Waterboy" said:here we go with the “my friends are veterans” response. Do any of you know what mutually exclusive means? How about strawmen? You can believe in his fight and believe that there are good cops in this country. you can belive in police authority abuses and supporting the troops, good cops, good civil servants@"Ilovebigtd's" said:Because he’s divisive and could less care about the impacts on his team,. He would rather be in the spotlight to rant his political beliefs. And, I personally think the symbol he chose to utilize in protest is absolutely deplorable. I know far too many military veterans who have greatly sacrificed to fight for this country. And any overlap that is confused with their service is deplorable and unacceptable.@"Waterboy" said: Hard pass. Keep his ass as far away from this team and community as possible. why?btw your “friends” are fighting, with a nice compensation package i might add, to defend his, yours, and my right for freedom aka his right to free speech
Yeah, that nice compensation package really makes up for my friend who is now suffering through ALS which is 2-3 times more likely in individuals who served in our military and compensated by the VA because there’s a known link. What a dumb f..king statement and lack of understanding of the contributions of those protecting your ass from all the evils in this world. This country isn’t perfect, but it deserves a helluva lot more respect than this ass clown is giving it. And while he has the right to do as he pleases, he may understand how hypocritical kneeling is in the country with some of the greatest privileges and opportunities on this earth. He can do as he pleases, but as I’ve said, I would never root for the guy. That being said, I just realized from your post how ungrateful and stupid people are in this country. Yeah our military members are greatly overpaid. The dumbest comment I’ve read in some time.
How many kids that are sent to war do it for freedom? Would do it without the compensation package? Do you understand the history of military recruitment? The military has to glamorize it’s recruitment because they can’t even hit numbers anymore. Video game tournaments and heightened recruitment strategies in low income neighborhoods. Fucking praying on the poor to go over to the Middle East and fight wars for politicians. It’s a bastardization of the US military’s ideals, but they have sold out. Why don’t you save your indignity for this instead of someone who is pointing out the factsYour friend can be a good person, a good soldier AND the military looks for the poor to be body bag pawns in the military defense complex. This is exactly the point of my post which you didn’t respond to, things aren’t mutually exclusive.
Again, Kaepnerick’s protest is about US Police Department issues in the black community, why you decided to bring in veterans is the definition of a straw man.
@"Bullazin" said:@"Skodin" said: Absolutely give him a shot. It would be huge on so many levels and he has the talent to be a top 64 QB in this leagueKubs was the last coach to give him a shot.
you mean to tell me you think Mannion is a better QB than Kaep? no way
mannion isnt in Kaep’s league, but lets face it, 40-45% of us viking fans hate Kaep
Hmm wonder why . .
@"Skodin" said:@"Waterboy" said:@"Skodin" said:@"Waterboy" said:here we go with the “my friends are veterans” response. Do any of you know what mutually exclusive means? How about strawmen? You can believe in his fight and believe that there are good cops in this country. you can belive in police authority abuses and supporting the troops, good cops, good civil servants@"Ilovebigtd's" said:Because he’s divisive and could less care about the impacts on his team,. He would rather be in the spotlight to rant his political beliefs. And, I personally think the symbol he chose to utilize in protest is absolutely deplorable. I know far too many military veterans who have greatly sacrificed to fight for this country. And any overlap that is confused with their service is deplorable and unacceptable.@"Waterboy" said: Hard pass. Keep his ass as far away from this team and community as possible. why?btw your “friends” are fighting, with a nice compensation package i might add, to defend his, yours, and my right for freedom aka his right to free speech
Yeah, that nice compensation package really makes up for my friend who is now suffering through ALS which is 2-3 times more likely in individuals who served in our military and compensated by the VA because there’s a known link. What a dumb f..king statement and lack of understanding of the contributions of those protecting your ass from all the evils in this world. This country isn’t perfect, but it deserves a helluva lot more respect than this ass clown is giving it. And while he has the right to do as he pleases, he may understand how hypocritical kneeling is in the country with some of the greatest privileges and opportunities on this earth. He can do as he pleases, but as I’ve said, I would never root for the guy. That being said, I just realized from your post how ungrateful and stupid people are in this country. Yeah our military members are greatly overpaid. The dumbest comment I’ve read in some time.
How many kids that are sent to war do it for freedom? Would do it without the compensation package? Do you understand the history of military recruitment? The military has to glamorize it’s recruitment because they can’t even hit numbers anymore. Video game tournaments and heightened recruitment strategies in low income neighborhoods. Fucking praying on the poor to go over to the Middle East and fight wars for politicians. It’s a bastardization of the US military’s ideals, but they have sold out. Why don’t you save your indignity for this instead of someone who is pointing out the factsYour friend can be a good person, a good soldier AND the military looks for the poor to be body bag pawns in the military defense complex. This is exactly the point of my post which you didn’t respond to, things aren’t mutually exclusive.
Again, Kaepnerick’s protest is about US Police Department issues in the black community, why you decided to bring in veterans is the definition of a straw man.
Man, you’re a fu..ing idiot. You’re argument spins all over the place and makes no sense whatsoever. I really don’t mind when idiots like you disagree with me. It validates my POV. And God you’re a POS.
@"1VikesFan" said:@"Waterboy" said:@"1VikesFan" said: Kaepernick's protest didn't have a damn thing to do with the military or veterans.It was a protest about inequality in the United States, which by the way, is also represented by the flag and national anthem.
Cause only liberal groups have the right to pick and choose what they’re offended by. A military vet hasn’t earned that.
Okay, if you say so.
Brilliant reply. Lol
@"Waterboy" said:@"1VikesFan" said:@"Waterboy" said:@"1VikesFan" said: Kaepernick's protest didn't have a damn thing to do with the military or veterans.It was a protest about inequality in the United States, which by the way, is also represented by the flag and national anthem.
Cause only liberal groups have the right to pick and choose what they’re offended by. A military vet hasn’t earned that.
Okay, if you say so.
Brilliant reply. Lol
If you all cant be civil in disagreement you wont be in these threads.If you are baited please walk away, people cant argue with themselves.
@"Waterboy" said:@"Skodin" said:@"Waterboy" said:@"Skodin" said:@"Waterboy" said:here we go with the “my friends are veterans” response. Do any of you know what mutually exclusive means? How about strawmen? You can believe in his fight and believe that there are good cops in this country. you can belive in police authority abuses and supporting the troops, good cops, good civil servants@"Ilovebigtd's" said:Because he’s divisive and could less care about the impacts on his team,. He would rather be in the spotlight to rant his political beliefs. And, I personally think the symbol he chose to utilize in protest is absolutely deplorable. I know far too many military veterans who have greatly sacrificed to fight for this country. And any overlap that is confused with their service is deplorable and unacceptable.@"Waterboy" said: Hard pass. Keep his ass as far away from this team and community as possible. why?btw your “friends” are fighting, with a nice compensation package i might add, to defend his, yours, and my right for freedom aka his right to free speech
Yeah, that nice compensation package really makes up for my friend who is now suffering through ALS which is 2-3 times more likely in individuals who served in our military and compensated by the VA because there’s a known link. What a dumb f..king statement and lack of understanding of the contributions of those protecting your ass from all the evils in this world. This country isn’t perfect, but it deserves a helluva lot more respect than this ass clown is giving it. And while he has the right to do as he pleases, he may understand how hypocritical kneeling is in the country with some of the greatest privileges and opportunities on this earth. He can do as he pleases, but as I’ve said, I would never root for the guy. That being said, I just realized from your post how ungrateful and stupid people are in this country. Yeah our military members are greatly overpaid. The dumbest comment I’ve read in some time.
How many kids that are sent to war do it for freedom? Would do it without the compensation package? Do you understand the history of military recruitment? The military has to glamorize it’s recruitment because they can’t even hit numbers anymore. Video game tournaments and heightened recruitment strategies in low income neighborhoods. Fucking praying on the poor to go over to the Middle East and fight wars for politicians. It’s a bastardization of the US military’s ideals, but they have sold out. Why don’t you save your indignity for this instead of someone who is pointing out the factsYour friend can be a good person, a good soldier AND the military looks for the poor to be body bag pawns in the military defense complex. This is exactly the point of my post which you didn’t respond to, things aren’t mutually exclusive.
Again, Kaepnerick’s protest is about US Police Department issues in the black community, why you decided to bring in veterans is the definition of a straw man.
Man, you’re a fu..ing idiot. You’re argument spins all over the place and makes no sense whatsoever. I really don’t mind when idiots like you disagree with me. It validates my POV. And God you’re a POS.
Yes I am a POS as well as Green Beret Nate Boyer who convinced Kaep to do what he did.You brought up veterans, about Kapernick’s US police protest, wrong
Then you replied to my comment about the military being compensated to do their job which i Then I backed up my point with the explanation of my statement. You didn’t refute.You have not answered the original question nor can agree to the basic statement of these things aren’t mutually exclusive.
All this intellectual dishonesty from you and I’m the POS. I guess
Kaep’s protest was not about military members, and if anything he was using the right they defend.
@"Skodin" said:@"Waterboy" said:@"Skodin" said:@"Waterboy" said:@"Skodin" said:@"Waterboy" said:here we go with the “my friends are veterans” response. Do any of you know what mutually exclusive means? How about strawmen? You can believe in his fight and believe that there are good cops in this country. you can belive in police authority abuses and supporting the troops, good cops, good civil servants@"Ilovebigtd's" said:Because he’s divisive and could less care about the impacts on his team,. He would rather be in the spotlight to rant his political beliefs. And, I personally think the symbol he chose to utilize in protest is absolutely deplorable. I know far too many military veterans who have greatly sacrificed to fight for this country. And any overlap that is confused with their service is deplorable and unacceptable.@"Waterboy" said: Hard pass. Keep his ass as far away from this team and community as possible. why?btw your “friends” are fighting, with a nice compensation package i might add, to defend his, yours, and my right for freedom aka his right to free speech
Yeah, that nice compensation package really makes up for my friend who is now suffering through ALS which is 2-3 times more likely in individuals who served in our military and compensated by the VA because there’s a known link. What a dumb f..king statement and lack of understanding of the contributions of those protecting your ass from all the evils in this world. This country isn’t perfect, but it deserves a helluva lot more respect than this ass clown is giving it. And while he has the right to do as he pleases, he may understand how hypocritical kneeling is in the country with some of the greatest privileges and opportunities on this earth. He can do as he pleases, but as I’ve said, I would never root for the guy. That being said, I just realized from your post how ungrateful and stupid people are in this country. Yeah our military members are greatly overpaid. The dumbest comment I’ve read in some time.
How many kids that are sent to war do it for freedom? Would do it without the compensation package? Do you understand the history of military recruitment? The military has to glamorize it’s recruitment because they can’t even hit numbers anymore. Video game tournaments and heightened recruitment strategies in low income neighborhoods. Fucking praying on the poor to go over to the Middle East and fight wars for politicians. It’s a bastardization of the US military’s ideals, but they have sold out. Why don’t you save your indignity for this instead of someone who is pointing out the factsYour friend can be a good person, a good soldier AND the military looks for the poor to be body bag pawns in the military defense complex. This is exactly the point of my post which you didn’t respond to, things aren’t mutually exclusive.
Again, Kaepnerick’s protest is about US Police Department issues in the black community, why you decided to bring in veterans is the definition of a straw man.
Man, you’re a fu..ing idiot. You’re argument spins all over the place and makes no sense whatsoever. I really don’t mind when idiots like you disagree with me. It validates my POV. And God you’re a POS.
Yes I am a POS as well as Green Beret Nate Boyer who convinced Kaep to do what he did.You brought up veterans, about Kapernick’s US police protest, wrong
Then you replied to my comment about the military being compensated to do their job which i Then I backed up my point with the explanation of my statement. You didn’t refute.You have not answered the original question nor can agree to the basic statement of these things aren’t mutually exclusive.
All this intellectual dishonesty from you and I’m the POS. I guess
Kaep’s protest was not about military members, and if anything he was using the right they defend.
He won't be responding because he was removed from the thread for his previous response.This is simple, these threads will not exist if we see personal attacks to demean or belittle other posters positions.
If people want to share opinions fine, you dont have to agree, but as soon as people start go do more than civilly disagree they will bet tossed from the thread and if continues or becomes just a constant disagreement then the thread goes to the ST board.
I think the real challenge of Kaepernick isn't so much about the PR, good or bad, related to signing him - the problem would be, what if they had to cut him?
Regardless of what anyone feels about how good he was when he did play, he is 32, had some injuries, and has been away from football for 4 seasons. There is definitely a fair risk that he wouldn't be a strong player. So imagine the Vikings sign him, and then waive him before the season starts (or at any time)? Will they be credited for giving him a fair shot - or accused of further discrimination or participating in a conspiracy to keep him out of the league? Could waiving him create further civil anger? Do they have to keep another QB like Mannion on the roster and give Kaepernick a free roster spot to avoid criticism?
I'm not defending him being out of the league all this time, but the next team that signs him (if any does) will be the one receiving blame if they cut him - maybe even if they don't make him their starter.
Hadn't read the original article until just now. It's worth the read...This was the NFL's executive vice president in charge of communications and government affairs, meaning this is not an activist, but a key figure in a lot of decisions made by the NFL during the CK controversy. It was interesting to me that he and Goodell tried to persuade teams to sign CK.
I could see Kaepernick being a Josh Hamilton type situation, out of baseball for 4-5 years, plays 2 months of minor league ball and the next year crushing it in the big leagues. Kaepernick would have the experience, the question for me is whether he has the drive. We already got rid of QB that didn't appear to be to into the X's and O's that was our developmental QB.
Some humor for the situation
https://babylonbee.com/news/rioters-decline-to-sign-colin-kaepernick
Why in the world do people keep beating this dead horse? If any team was going to sign Kaep, it would have happened by now. The media just has to keep pushing to divide
@"Hidalgo" said: Why in the world do people keep beating this dead horse? If any team was going to sign Kaep, it would have happened by now. The media just has to keep pushing to divideBecause it still sells.
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