The NFL and EA Shared A Statement After George Floyd’s Death and People Aren’t Having It.

Brands have used their platform to express and support the current protests against police brutality. The same league and brand that rejected Colin Kaepernick for kneeling to protest police brutality have released a statement about George Floyd. On Saturday, May 30, the NFL shared a well-written message that may have had you fooled if you haven’t been paying any to little attention. “The NFL family is greatly saddened by the tragic events across our country,” reads part of the statement. “The protesters’ reactions to these incidents reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel.”

pic.twitter.com/rRUOPpWSpE

— NFL (@NFL) May 30, 2020

Now, the league has an “urgent need for action,” but decided to turn their heads the other way in 2016 when Kaepernick protested against police brutality by taking a knee during the National Anthem, the NFL then ensured to end his career. It doesn’t stop there. In 2018, the league announced that NFL teams would be fine if players don’t stand up during the National Anthem. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that the policy was approved “in concert with the NFL’s ongoing commitment to local communities and our country.” “The 32 member clubs of the National Football League have reaffirmed their strong commitment to work alongside our players to strengthen our communities and advance social justice,” the statement reads. After the NFL released their statement social media immediately responded with backlash. EA Sports also received backlash after released a statement on Sunday, May 31.

An official statement from EA SPORTS pic.twitter.com/MKdgJjvKJB

— Madden NFL 20 (@EAMaddenNFL) May 31, 2020

EA decided to hold off on its release to reveal the first look of Madden 21. The reason for their decision came from ongoing protests and civil unrest in cities across the country following the death of George Floyd. Twitter was quick to react to both statements from the brands resurfacing issues that were once opposed. One user responded to the gaming brand, EA Sports, who once censored Kaepernick’s name from the soundtrack on Madden 19.

Ain’t this you?! https://t.co/sQKjLiZMqS pic.twitter.com/FWVMYuSPqm

— ɴᴀᴛʜᴀɴ🕊🇰🇭 #ʙʟᴍ (@NathanKHSO) May 31, 2020

The song, Big Bank, the second single off Compton rapper YG’s album ‘Stay Dangerous’ which features 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Nicki Minaj. The third verse on the uncensored version of the song includes a broadly innocuous lyrical reference to Kaepernick: “You boys all cap, I’m more Colin Kaepernick” raps Big Sean. Four years ago, Kaepernick made a peaceful statement that the NFL must have forgotten that they did not agree with and now have the “urgent need for action.” The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who protested against racial injustice and police brutality has been donating to BLM Movements and organizations looking for a change.

What all of this statement really says:

Colin Kaepernick was right.

The league’s owners—the commissioner’s bosses—blew this years ago when they didn’t care. https://t.co/3qcDfytQFY

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) May 30, 2020

By blacklisting @Kaepernick7 and stopping the protesting at #Nfl games, Roger Goodell helped worsen the problem – and for him to say there is an "Urgent Need for Action" now is a bit much

— Jonathan Eisen (@phylogenomics) May 30, 2020

Colin Kaepernick warned the NFL- they didn't listen – now they want to hop on the bandwagon? Hell naaw! Fk Roger Goodell. Fk the NFL

— Baligubadle (@Baligubadle1) May 31, 2020

Roger Goodell, May 2018: Subjected teams to fines if players/staffers protested racial inequality & police brutality during the national anthem

Goodell, May 2020: “The protestors’ reactions to these incidents reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel.”

🤔

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 31, 2020