Former NFL star, Rodney Harrison, said that Colin Kaepernick is not black.
The statements came during an interview with iHeartRadio, when Harrison was responding to the decision of Kaepernick to sit during the National Anthem.
“I tell you this, I’m a black man. And Colin Kaepernick — he’s not black,” remarked Harrison. “He cannot understand what I face and what other young black men and black people face, or people of color face, on an every single [day] basis. When you walk in a grocery store, and you might have $2,000 or $3,000 in your pocket and you go up in to a Foot Locker and they’re looking at you like you about to steal something.You know, I don’t think he faces those type of things that we face on a daily basis.”
Harrison went on to say that Kaepernick should find a different way to protest oppression in America.
Kaepernick is the child of a white mother and a black father and was raised by white parents who adopted him.
Harrison would later apologize to Kaepernick and any who he offended.
“I never intended to offend anyone, I was trying to speak about my experiences as a African American,” tweeted Harrison. “I apologize to anyone that I offended , wasn’t meant to be hurtful to anyone. God bless.”
“Last point I want people to know. I never even knew he was mixed,” continued Harrison. “I should not have called Colin Kaepernick’s race into question during this morning’s radio interview. It was a mistake and I apologize.”