Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers says former San Francisco 49ers field general Colin Kaepernick "should be on a roster right now," but he is not because of his silent protests during the National Anthem.
In an interview with ESPN, Rodgers said it would be "ignorant" to suggest Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the song did not play a role in his being unsigned by a pro football team this season.
"I think he should be on a roster right now," he told the outlet after an initial interview. "I think because of his protests, he's not."
According to ESPN, Rodgers asserts he does not plan a similar protest, but believes they are positive.
"I'm gonna stand because that's the way I feel about the flag – but I'm also 100 percent supportive of my teammates or any fellow players who are choosing not to," he told ESPN.
"They have a battle for racial equality. That's what they're trying to get a conversation started around."
Asked for specifics about the subject of Kaepernick's protest, Rodgers told the outlet: "I think the best way I can say this is: I don't understand what it's like to be in that situation. What it is to be pulled over, or profiled, or any number of issues that have happened, that Colin was referencing – or any of my teammates have talked to me about."
Rodgers said the issue is something the country "needs to remedy and improve."
"But I know it's a real thing my black teammates have to deal with," he added.
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