Of the NFL teams to have responded to Colin Kaepernick's call for the nation to give it's attention to the oppression of the Black community by law enforcement, the Seattle Seahawks, lead by Michael Bennett and Richard Sherman, have been the most vocal. Leading up to the season, followers of the West Coast powerhouse had anticipated that they'd show some kind of demonstration after Sherman, Bennett, and even coach Pete Carroll acknowledged that the issue was one being actively confronted in the Seahawks locker room. When they decided on locking arms as a unified message, some were mystified as to whether the gesture was being made in solidarity with Kaepernick, or as a compromise to comfort his detractors. On Wednesday [September 21], Sherman spoke for himself in conveying that it has become clear to him that their message has yet to come across, during a Seahawks news conference.
“I'm not going to answer any questions today, and it's no offense to you guys, but I think the state of things in the world today, is very interesting. I think you have players that are trying to take a stand, and trying to be aware of social issues and try to make a stand and increase people’s awareness and put a spotlight on it and they’re being ignored," Sherman said. "Whether they’re taking a knee or whether they’re locking arms, they’re trying to bring people together and unite them for a cause. And I think people are still misinformed. You know, the reason these guys are kneeling, the reason we're locking arms, is to bring people together and make people aware that you know, this is not right. You know, it's not right for people to be killed in the street."
Sherman has always been outspoken on controversial issues when addressing the press. Back in 2014, he mocked the NFL's media policies after teammate Marshawn Lynch was fined for refusing to speak to reporters. Standing beside a cardboard cut out of teammate Doug Martin, he spoke in jest about having to plug league sponsors, before a room full of reporters. But since the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police fire, in July, he's taken to a more socially conscious tone that transcends a message of entrepreneurial autonomy.
Source: complex.com
