The Difference Between Aaron Rodgers and Colin Kaepernick?
It's as simple as black and white
Some people on social media are comparing the NFL’s treatment of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Colin Kaepernick, after the former won a Most Valuable Player award this week.
Rodgers, who was widely criticized last year for misleading the public about his COVID-19 vaccination status over the summer, won the Associated Press MVP award at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday.
Sirius XM radio host Joe Madison called out the honor on Twitter on Friday, comparing Rodgers to Kaepernick, who famously began kneeling during the playing of the national anthem at NFL games in 2016 to protest racial injustice.
“Aaron Rodgers gets rewarded with MVP even after lying to the entire country,” he wrote. “Colin Kaepernick will probably never play in the NFL again for speaking the truth.”
If you still think that America isn’t a place riddled with casual racism, consider the case of how the NFL treated Colin Kaepernick versus the way it treats Aaron Rodgers.
Kaepernick, who’s Black, had the temerity to kneel during the playing of the National Anthem in 2016. It’s a common occurrence now, but in 2016 it was a radical and controversial departure from the norm. Conservatives decried Kaepernick’s gesture as “anti-American,” “unpatriotic,” and several other words I can’t relate in this forum. He was quietly and unofficially blackballed by the NFL and unable to catch on with any of the 32 teams in the league, even though he was still talented enough to help a few teams.
Kaepernick went on to sue the NFL and has used his newfound celebrity to make a difference within marginalized communities, work he continues to do. He’s proven himself to be so much more than just a football player.
Rodgers, who’s White, lied to the NFL, the Green Bay Packers, and the nation about being vaccinated. Then, when the press exposed his lie, he received a slap on the wrist, something not afforded to other (Black) players (see Antonio Brown). Nevertheless, he was declared this season’s NFL Most Valuable Player.
All this happened despite Rodgers being an anti-vaxxer, a liar, breaking NFL COVID-19 protocols, and playing the victim. In short, Rodgers was exposed as a miserable, self-absorbed liar concerned only for his wellbeing.
Kaepernick told the truth and will never play another down in the NFL. Rodgers lied, whined, and played the victim, and he’ll have teams competing for his services should he decide to leave Green Bay during the offseason.
I can’t escape the thought that if Aaron Rodgers were Black, the reaction to his deception would’ve been a fair bit different from the slap on the wrist he received. Of course, I can’t prove that, but the NFL too often treats its Black players like slaves on a plantation. Owners and management will take umbrage over that accusation, of course, but if you look at the league’s recent history, there’s no denying the truth of it.
Aaron Rodgers was blessed with the ability to throw a football as few other human beings can, and for that, he’s been given a free pass for much of his career. The fact that his latest deception and self-portrayal as a victim means he’s a lousy human being is easily overlooked. Being a talented quarterback (a traditionally White position) in a quarterback-driven league means never having to say you’re sorry.
Although he took the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl, Colin Kaepernick wasn't as talented as Rodgers. However, the fact that he’s a Black quarterback means he wasn’t provided nearly the slack Rodgers enjoys.
All Kaepernick did was expose the NFL’s racism problem, and for that, he was blackballed. It’s what happens in the NFL when you’re Black and you rock the boat.
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