Seattle Seahawks D-lineman Michael Bennett believes that Colin Kaepernick needs to be hired before any players and the league can move forward on the national anthem protests. In an interview with ESPN, Bennett says, "I think the first step to even being able to even have a conversation is making sure that Colin Kaepernick gets an opportunity to play in the NFL. I think before we even negotiate anything about whether we sit, whether we stand [during the national anthem], it should be a negotiation about opening up the doors for Colin Kaepernick and giving him an opportunity again, because I feel like through everything, that's been lost."
It's been widely reported that the league has had meetings with their players in response to the national anthem protests. Players have stated that Kaepernick's name came up during the meeting but there wasn't much discussion. Bennett has begun sitting during the national anthem during the preseason and continues to do so.
Bennett continued, "It reminded me of the Dred Scott case: You’re property, so you don’t have the ability to be a person first. I think that in this generation, I think that sends the wrong message to young kids and young people all across the world that your employer doesn’t see you as a human being, they see you as a piece of property, and if that’s the case, then I don’t get it. I just don’t get why you don’t see us as human beings first.”
