The NFL star whose kneeling national anthem protest against police violence has inspired solidarity in some athletes across generations and races had something to say about Monday night’s (September 26) presidential debate—and it wasn’t positive.
Colin Kaepernick thoughts on presidential debate: "To me it was embarrassing to watch that these are our two candidates" pic.twitter.com/wpsw18pw6v
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 27, 2016
"To me, it was embarrasing to watch that these are our two candidates," San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, during a press conference in his team’s locker room yesterday (September 27). "Both are proven liars and it almost seems like they’re trying to debate who’s less racist. And at this point, talking with one of my friends, it was, you have to pick the lesser of two evils, but the end is still evil," he said, after saying that he watched "a little bit" of the debate.
Kaepernick also discussed his recent Time magazine cover, which features a picture of him on one knee. He called the cover "a great honor," but affirmed that he didn’t do the protest for that kind of recognition. "Once again, it is to protest the injustices that are happening in America."
This isn’t the first time Kap has criticized the nominees. Last month, he referenced Clinton’s infamous "superpredators" comment from the ’90s and he called Trump "openly racist." The Republican presidential nominee admonished the quarterback’s protest in response, saying that "maybe he should find a country that works better for him." Kap called Trump’s remark a "very ignorant statement" during yesterday’s press conference.
"He always says, ‘Make America Great Again’—well, it’s never been great for people of color," he added. "That’s something that needs to be addressed. Let’s make America great for the first time."