As we get ready to kickoff off the 2017 season, we have witnessed history taking place on and off the field. Colin Kaepernick has opened up a new era in the NFL. There are probably about 63% of people that agree that he should be on a team in the NFL. The blatant indirect response from teams to the kneeling during the National Anthem from owners is a black eye to the league. Many fans are boycotting the NFL until Colin is signed. As the season nears closer it seems a far stretch for him to make a team.
During the 1996 season Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf protested the Anthem refusing to stand, stating the flag was a symbol of oppression. The NBA and Rauf compromised for him to stand and was allowed to close eyes and pray during the anthem. Rauf was suspended without pay for his refusal to stand for the remainder of the '96 season. Rauf was traded after that season and never got back to playing high level basketball as I was accustomed to seeing from him. I can not recall his protest and league response causing such a stir as our current story. Michael Jordan was scoring 30ppg during Rauf's protest season.
The Kaepernick situation is a parallel in the NBA with a huge voice from different communities boycotting the NFL. America has a long way to go if we are to become a United States. Police brutality, gang violence, religious hatred, addiction, mental health, racial tensions, etc. These players have a right in this country to voice their beliefs especially on the platform that they are on. According to Forbes, the NFL is likely to surpass $13 billion in revenue from the 2016 season. That is a lot of money streams from many angles of the world. The players are becoming the bait that the big fish owners are feeding off of. I voted in the 2016 election because it was my right to do so. I feel like it's a small voice, but my ancestors fought to have the right to have that voice. After a loss to the Cardinals, Kaepernick stated that it would've been hypocritical of him to vote in the election process. I feel that the belief of that magnitude is why we have the a wall being argued over.
I am with Kaepernick, it's time for America to pay attention and wake up accept the challenge of doing better to create an equal land for all of us to thrive fruitfully! I I fell in love with the game at a young age. There have been owners, commissioners, mangers and coaches in the leagues that have been discriminate towards players every since. My job in this blog is to inform you of the great talent and not so good play on the field this 2017 season.
Let's start with the 2017 Cleveland Browns:
Head Coach: Hue Jackson (2nd season) - 1-15 in his first season will need a restart after a dismal season. After their 9th straight losing season, the Browns are at least headed in the right direction. Where else can you go?
Draft Picks:
Myles Garrett - DE - Texas A&M
Deshone Kizer - QB - Notre Dame
David Njok -TE -Miami
Caleb Brantley - DT - Florida
Jabril Peppers - S - Michigan
The Browns have a long way to go. Starts with any type of consistent winning. Deshone Kizer has been named the starter over Brock. So now the Kizer project begins. NFL has locked Josh Gordon from coming back to the league for Goddell knows how long. 1st game is at home against the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers. Will be a good test for this young defense.
Fantasy Football standouts
Corey Coleman
This week's opening weekend has a MONSTER game! The Seminoles playing against a hungry Alabama team. That will be a huge game right out of the gate for both teams. Jalen Hurts vs Deondre Francois. Both are in Heisman considerations to start the season
