Hey, everybody. We're here in the studio for a special edition of The Edge of Sports

podcast because of breaking news regarding San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

If you haven't heard, here's what went down on Friday night in Santa Clara when the 49ers

were playing the Green Bay Packers. Colin Kaepernick chose to not stand for the national anthem.

And then afterwards, he said the following to the NFL network.

He said, quote, I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses

black people and people of color.

To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.

There are bodies in the street and people are getting paid leave and getting away with murder, end quote.

And now, to talk about this, we have on the line, NFL Players Association Executive Director, DeMora Smith.

The fan who believes that we should shut up and play, you don't want to hear us.

You just want people to entertain you.

Because you've decided to buy a ticket somehow, the people that you watch are relegated

to just a two-dimensional person without a soul, without feelings, without rights.

When you turn the TV off and you stop seeing the players running around on the field,

I can guarantee you that they continue to exist.

So, Dee Smith, what's your response to not only what Colin Kaepernick did, but also to his words afterwards to the NFL network?

Well, you know, first and foremost, our players are members of their community.

And obviously they have their own personal views, personal passions.

I know that Colin's a passionate individual.

You know, when I read it, I thought,

first and foremost, protest and demonstrations have always been a part of what's gone on throughout the history of sport, and certainly we've talked about that on numerous occasions.

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