Colin Kaepernick recently compared the NFL Draft to a ‘slave auction.’ Loads of people probably agree with him and, most likely, just as many people do not. But there’s another matter here–the impact of that language choice on young athletes across America.
Over my years of coaching, I’ve had many young athletes tell me that they want to become professional athletes and play in the NFL. It’s their dream. They see themselves throwing or catching the winning touchdown pass, and they also view playing pro ball as a pathway to fortune as well as fame. What’s more, they are willing to put in the time and effort to make that dream come true.
Most won’t make it, of course. But current and former players, especially, need to be careful about what they say.
How so? When you think about how young people spend their time–and the array of choices that lay before them–it’s easy to think about a lot of harmful alternatives. Having a dream and working diligently to achieve it–despite long odds–represent a worthy alternative.
You lived your dream, Colin. Don’t kill theirs.
Kaepernick did not get to live his dream, and this article is ignoring that players go through some horrible prodding and questioning in the draft process. ‘Young athletes’ need to be aware. Worthless article and the author is targeting Kaepernick because he ‘kneeled’.