Stephen Curry supports Colin Kaepernick during yesterday’s Panthers-49ers game
By Nick Denning
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry showed support for Colin Kaepernick yesterday, posting #freekaep on Instagram while attending the Carolina Panthers-San Francisco 49ers game.
Prior to the game, Curry spoke with Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer on Kaepernick, making it clear he believes Kaepernick is good enough to be on an NFL roster.
“He definitely should be in the NFL. If you’ve been around the NFL, the top 64 quarterbacks, and he’s not one of them? Then I don’t know what game I’m watching.”
He added that Kaepernick’s peaceful protests last season “kind of shook up the world” in a positive way, and hopes he gets another opportunity to play football.
“But hopefully he gets back in the league – because he deserves to be here and he deserves an opportunity to play. He’s in his prime and can make a team better.”
Above all, Curry hopes that more than anything, Kaepernick’s protests “actually leads to some awakening.”
Kaepernick’s protests have started nationwide debates over police brutality. It has also seemingly prevented him from signing with an NFL team. Many like Curry have defended Kaepernick, and the recent encounter involving Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett has sparked new discussion.
This isn’t the first time Curry has supported Kaepernick. After protests broke out in Charlottte, North Carolina over the death of Keith Lamont Scott, Curry tweeted, “Praying for my city! We deserve better than this…#704 #KeithLamontScott”. Curry grew up in Charlotte while his father Dell played for the Charlotte Hornets.
Later on, Curry explained the protests in Charlotte were an “opportunity to use their voice.” However, Curry was upset to see things turn violent. He also indicated he would stand during the national anthem last season, stating, “There are ways that people can affect the lives of people around them without it having to be during the national anthem.”
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His comments yesterday don’t indicate a change in his stance on protesting during the anthem, but do further affirm his support of Kaepernick. As the NBA season approaches, Curry and others will almost certainly be asked whether any demonstrations during the anthem or elsewhere are planned.