NZ NEWS – Ex-ESPN reporter calls out GQ for its Citizen of the Year
Former ESPN reporter Britt McHenry has slammed GQ Magazine for naming Colin Kaepernick Citizen of the Year.McHenry claimed that there were many more worthwhile football players than Kaepernick who sparked a national protest when he began kneeling during the national anthem last season to protest racial inequality and police brutality.'JJ Watt raised $37 million for Hurricane Harvey victims. 37 MILLION! But Kaepernick refused to stand for our national anthem (a year ago) and is Citizen of the Year. Right…' she tweeted after the announcement.'For those who think I don't get the reason for protest you're wrong. Eagles Malcolm Jenkins met with lawmakers to help community. Dolphins Kenny Stills met with Miami police. More examples of Citizen of the Year.'The San Francisco 49ers quarterback's silent protest against racial inequality sparked an ongoing wave of NFL protests by players during the anthem.The move attracted criticism, including from President Trump, and even cost Kaepernick his job in March, but earned him the title of GQ's Citizen of the Year.Yet McHenry argues that Kaepernick is unworthy of the title.'Wear socks depicting police officers as pigs; wear Fidel Castro as a fashion statement IN MIAMI; sue NFL for collusion when gf compares owners to slave owners… Win Citizen of the Year,' she wrote. 'Serve in the US Military…nothing. What a joke, GQ. #Kaepernick.'Kaepernick donned a T-shirt emblazoned with photos from a 1960 meeting between Malcolm X and Fidel Castro during a post-game news conference in November 2016.When questioned about it, he initially back paddled, telling reporters it was 'Malcolm X shirt' and praises him for meeting the Cuban dictator which 'speaks to his open mind to be willing to hear different aspects of people's views and ultimately being able to create his own views as far as the best way to approach different situations, different cultures,' the Miami Herald reported.Later in that same interview, he praised Castro for investing in education.Two months before that interview, he came under fire for wearing socks which appeared to depict cops as cartoon pigs.However, Kaepernick has plenty of supporters who backed GQ's decision.Ninety-year-old singer and activist Harry Belafonte said seeing people like Kaepernick taking action is 'the greatest reward' he could ask for.Rapper J. Cole says Kaepernick 'sacrificed his dream' to stand for something.Kaepernick said on Twitter he's 'honored' by the recognition.The free agent quarterback had posed for the cover and a photo spread inside, but refused an interview and is staying silent instead.He has not been accepted by any NFL team this season but has reportedly landed a $1 million book deal.
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