Earlier this month NFL running back Kareem Hunt was signed by the Cleveland Browns, even though he was previously released by the Kansas City Chiefs for domestic violence allegations. Making things worse, Hunt’s charge of abusing a woman was captured on video, leaving critics to argue that Hunt should remain on the commissioner’s football exempt list, not on a current NFL roster. Colin Kaepernick, on the other hand, hasn’t played in the NFL since 2016 because of his decision to kneel in protest during the national anthem. Today, Kaepernick is still not employed in the NFL, even as we watch countless NFL quarterbacks with less ability regularly given opportunities to play in the league. Regardless if you disagree with Kaepernick’s decision to kneel for the flag, it’s still got to be a head-scratcher how Hunt currently has an NFL job after physically harassing a woman, while Kaepernick remains unemployed for exercising his First Amendment freedom of speech.
The variables impacting eligibility
When it comes to professional sports, there are far fewer requirements to meet when compared to college sports. Pro players don’t have to worry about grades, underage drinking, or being paid for their autograph. No, with pro sports about the only thing that matters is whether the athlete can play — even if this means absorbing previous ugly incidents and behaviors as in the case of Kareem Hunt. The NFL has a long history of giving talented players second chances, and until the Kaepernick – NFL boycott it had always been that talented players would offset any poor public relations, arrests, and crimes.
Today, however, the contrast between Hunt and Kaepernick is both sharp and concerning. Both athletes can still play (it’s hard to argue Kaepernick couldn’t, at minimum, serve as a backup QB), yet their current employment status differs dramatically. In just a few months Kareem Hunt will be cheered and admired for his football talent, and most fans will forget just how terrible his actions were that got him suspended. Kaepernick, on the other hand, likely won’t be playing in the NFL even though he hasn’t been arrested or involved in any criminal behavior. Do you see inconsistencies here?
It’s also interesting to note when comparison Hunt and Kaepernick is that race is controlled for (meaning both are men of color), as is gender, sport type, and skill level. Essentially the only significant difference between the two players is the “crime” each committed — kneeling for the flag, it appears, is a much worse action compared to slapping a woman according to the NFL.
Final thoughts
The point of this column is not to try and persuade anyone to like or dislike Kareem Hunt and Colin Kaepernick, but to instead point out observable differences in the ways each player has been treated and received. On the surface, it appears that illegal domestic violence is OK for the NFL, but peaceful protesting secured by the First Amendment is not. The NFL has clearly stated its position by allowing Hunt to play again, yet Kaepernick is still unemployed.
drstankovich.com
