The movement for change in the United States continues. One of the sports focal points is Colin Kaepernick and his decision to take a knee during the national anthem years ago. The exiled quarterback will receive support from a great running back in 2020 when “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played before games.
Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson told the Houston Chronicle Friday, in a wide-ranging interview, he plans to take a knee when the anthem is played.
“Just four years ago, you’re seeing Kaepernick taking a knee, and now we’re all getting ready to take a knee together going into this season, without a doubt,” Peterson told the paper.
Asked if he will take a knee this fall, Peterson replied: “Yeah, without a doubt, without a doubt.”
Peterson added: “It definitely has evolved for sure. You went from Kaepernick being banned from the league, and now you see so many guys coming together. It was an eye-opener then. So much has transpired since then.
“We’ve got to put the effort in as a group collectively. Are they going to try to punish us all? If not, playing football is going to help us save lives and change things, then that’s what it needs to be.”
Peterson spent much of his pro career in Minnesota as a Viking. He spoke strongly over his disgust for the four Minneapolis policemen charged in the death of George Floyd.
“I feel like the movement right now has been positive; the real results come once that jury decides the fate of those gentlemen,” Peterson told the Chronicle. “When you’re looking at it through our lens, it’s so frustrating and devastating to see some of the tragic things that are happening to our people.
“I was looking at a (Floyd) video that I hadn’t seen before where you see the guy sitting there telling the officer, ‘Hey, take your knee off his neck. He’s not moving. He’s handcuffed. You’ve got four guys.’ And it’s like, it’s so intentional. It hurts your heart. It’s really sad.”