Arian Foster questions Colin Kaepernick’s method, supports message
By Jason Hall
Published:
Former Tennessee and current Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster has never shied away from sharing his opinions on numerous subjects. So naturally, he was willing to comment on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to not stand for the National Anthem.
According to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, Foster claims he wasn’t sure he agreed with Kaepernick’s execution, but supported his message.
“I don’t necessarily see that as a solution to anything,” Foster said. “This is me talking. This is Arian talking. If that’s what he felt, that’s his form of protest, I support his right to protest. Those are his thoughts, his opinions.”
“I understand 100 percent what he’s doing. He’s frustrated, just like me. He’s just like my brother. He’s just like my cousins out there. He’s frustrated. It’s hard seeing people get murdered and killed without repercussions.”
Kaepernick’s criticism of law enforcement has been met with both criticism and praise. Foster recounted several of his own incidents involving racial profiling, as well as numerous incidents in which he’s been told to leave the country, which led him to admit that “Racisim is still alive” in the United States.
“What do you mean? Where can I go?,” Foster began. “African Americans are the only people in America who don’t have a heritage, because of slavery. We’re descendants of genocide, and people don’t like to talk about that. It’s the truth. We’re the descendants of genocide. So when you say, ‘You can leave,’ where to? I don’t know where my people come from. Am I from the Congo? Am I from Kenya? Am I from the Ivory Coast?
“I have no idea where my lineage comes from, and that is a huge issue as to why there’s a self-identity crisis in our neighborhoods. We’re taught to hate ourselves for generations. And people are just quick to say, ‘Get over it. Get over it. Slavery happened a long time ago.’ I grew up in a domestically violent household. There are effects that I grew up with and had to deal with emotional issues growing up with domestic violence in my house. That’s one generation removed. Now here’s 300 years of slavery, you’ve seen your people get people, have them told you aren’t anything. Written in laws that they’re three-fifths a human being for 300 years. You’re telling me there’s no psychological effects that won’t trickle down in your bloodline? Of course there are. Until this country addresses is, this will happen.”
Foster played four seasons at Tennessee after redshirting in 2004. He finished second on the school’s all-time rushing list with 2,964 yards and third in career all-purpose yards with 3,880.
You can read the full article at the Miami Herald’s website here.
Jason covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
