Washington Redskins operating again Adrian Peterson mentioned he’ll kneel throughout the nationwide anthem this season to protest racial injustice, and he doesn’t plan to be the one participant to take action.
Peterson made his emotions recognized to the Houston Chronicle within the aftermath of the feedback made by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who mentioned that gamers had been “disrespecting the flag” by kneeling throughout the anthem. Brees later apologized for his feedback.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick protested racial injustice in america by kneeling throughout the anthem within the 2016 season. Kaepernick has but to signal with an NFL staff since opting out of his contract with the 49ers in 2017.
“Years in the past, seeing Kaepernick taking a knee, now we’re all able to take a knee collectively going into this season indisputably,” Peterson mentioned.
When requested by the Houston Chronicle if he’ll take a knee, Peterson replied: “Unquestionably, indisputably.”
The NFL adopted a coverage in 2018 that required gamers to face for the nationwide anthem, however allowed them to remain within the locker room throughout it in the event that they selected. The league has since pulled the coverage again after an settlement with the NFL Gamers Affiliation.
Peterson, who performed 10 seasons (2007-16) with the Minnesota Vikings, contends that extra gamers shall be taking a knee this season following nationwide protests over the loss of life of George Floyd, an African-American man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on Might 25.
“We’ve acquired to place the trouble in as a gaggle collectively. Are they going to attempt to punish us all? If not, taking part in soccer goes to assist us save lives and alter issues, then that’s what it must be,” Peterson informed the newspaper.
Peterson, 35, is at present fifth on the all-time speeding checklist with 14,216 yards.
Peterson was a staff captain and led Washington in makes an attempt (211), speeding yards (898) and speeding touchdowns (5) final season.
Peterson has performed in 164 profession video games. He at present ranks No. eight in speeding makes an attempt (three,036), No. four in speeding touchdowns (111) and No. eight in yards per sport (86.7) in NFL historical past.
Subsequent up on the speeding checklist could be Barry Sanders, who’s 1,053 yards forward of Peterson and fourth on the all-time speeding checklist.
Peterson is 12 speeding touchdowns behind Marcus Allen for third all-time.