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00:00 It's been almost four years since Colin Kaepernick took a knee to protest the police brutality
00:06 and unequal treatment of black people taking place in our country.
00:10 Now tens of thousands worldwide are engaging in peaceful protests for the same views.
00:16 Joining me now is SI's analyst and columnist on the business of sports, Andrew Brandt.
00:21 Andrew, there's 125 quarterbacks on NFL rosters right now, but not one team could find a spot
00:28 for Colin Kaepernick. Now four years later with the recent death of George Floyd and more and more
00:34 athletes speaking up, the NFL commissioner released a statement that he "supports
00:39 peaceful protests." What are your thoughts on the NFL's response and has Kaepernick's name become
00:46 or not become part of the discussion? Yeah, Caitlin, it's hard to believe it's been four
00:50 years since he made those comments specifically about this topic, about police brutality,
00:55 about unequal treatment by police of minorities. Everyone conflated it with the flag and with
01:01 military and all that and anthem, but it was never about that. It was about exactly what the world is
01:06 talking about now, and that world includes NFL teams and the commissioner, Roger Goodell, which
01:13 are all talking about what they've learned about unequal treatment of police to minorities,
01:17 especially black people. But absent from the commissioner's comment or video, which was well
01:24 received, was any reference to Colin Kaepernick. So I thought that omission was very suspicious.
01:32 We still don't know if they're going to allow players to protest. It seems like they will,
01:37 but that's the commissioner, Caitlin, and the commissioner works for the owners.
01:42 We haven't really heard from owners. Are they going to allow what they wouldn't really allow,
01:45 at least in name, four years ago, three years ago, two years ago, one year ago?
01:51 This is a story that will not go away. It'll stay for a while. I think we'll deal with this in the
01:55 fall. >> Yeah, it's interesting how this is going to play out, but I want your take on this. You've
02:02 had experience race managing with the Green Bay Packers. How do you think things should be handled
02:07 moving forward? >> Yeah, it's interesting because you see my helmet behind me, managing the Packers,
02:14 we were the least diverse city in the NFL by far. I mean, I was asked by players and agents all the
02:20 time, "Hey, Andrew, do you have Black people up there besides the players on the team?" I'd be
02:25 honest. I'd say no. We were dealing with a very non-diverse area, homogenous and completely white,
02:34 so we had to manage it and make sure everyone felt comfortable in the environment they were
02:38 living in. I think this is the challenge for everyone now because a lot of diverse views
02:43 in that locker room, Caitlin, and they're not all the same. We saw that with the protests.
02:48 Some players did want standard attention, salute the flag. Other players, it's ridiculous. So
02:53 we'll see how NFL overall manages this, Commissioner Goodell, and then more specifically,
02:59 the teams. It's not going to be easy. Everyone's got to have professionalism, tact, and patience
03:05 as we get through this. >> Yeah, it might not be easy, but it's something that surely needs to
03:10 happen. I want to switch gears really quick and get your insight on what's happening with Major
03:14 League Baseball and how you think that might affect the NFL. >> It's a preview because baseball
03:19 and the players are going through this economic negotiation. The revenues are going to be down
03:23 due to lack of fans. Players thought they had a deal, but they didn't have a deal. The owners say
03:28 that's only with fans, that deal. So we may not have baseball. That's a real possibility, and it
03:33 won't be because of the pandemic. Think about that. It'll be about economics. The NFL will take
03:39 the same approach. They will go to the players, my prediction, my words, in a matter of weeks or
03:44 months and say, "Listen, we're going to have less revenues because of less fans. We need to get
03:48 ahead of this, negotiate a different kind of deal." This is a preview for the NFL. >> Story will
03:54 certainly follow here on "Sports Illustrated." Andrew, thank you so much for your insight.
03:58 Appreciate it. >> Thanks, Kaitlin.
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