Colin Kaepernick Compares Playing In The NFL To Slavery

Colin Kaepernick has compared NFL training camp assessments to being bought and sold in slavery.

The former NFL quarterback has recently released his new film titled 'Colin in Black and White' which delves into his life as a black athlete experiencing racism both on and off the football field.

Since its release on Netflix a few days ago, fans have heaped praise on the autobiographical series, although it seems one scene in particular has made headlines.

During a scene where he explains how NFL hopefuls get into the league, Kaepernick acts as a commentator while the athletes are being assessed during a training camp.

Lining up, the shirtless men are analysed one-by-one by NFL team doctors and coaches ahead of their selection.

"Before they put you on the field, teams poke, prod and examine you," Kaepernick says.

"Searching for any defect that might affect your performance. No boundary respected. No dignity left intact."

Netflix

The players then break the fourth wall and walk towards Kaepernick's direction.

As they cross past him, you can hear shackles rattling as the shirtless men turn into slaves walking through a field.

The camera then pans out and a slave is up on a podium being auctioned off to a bunch of white men.

One of the potential buyers then decides to get closer to the other African-American slaves, wanting to examine them even more - mirroring what Kaepernick believes NFL coaches do too.

The camera then flashes back to an NFL training camp where a white coach is looking over a young, black player during a physical assessment.

At the end, the two scenes combine when the white NFL coach and the white slave auctioneer shake hands after making a deal.

PA

Kaepernick uses the polarising scene as a metaphor to suggest that young athletes are being groomed into a slave system, claiming "they" are trying to "establish a power dynamic".

When the scene first aired, fans were left divided as some people applauded it while others flocked to social media to slam it.

One bloke tweeted: "I supported Kaepernick kneeling and speaking out about racism in America. But the minimum NFL salary is almost $700,000. This is not slavery."

As another added: "True fact. Most slaves got multi-million guaranteed contracts too."

Meanwhile, some users reacted by posting Kaepernick's net worth and salary while he was in the NFL.

Topics: American Football, Racism, NFL, Netflix, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry