NFL: Redskins' Peterson vows to kneel during national anthem

Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson said he will kneel during the national anthem this season to protest racial injustice, and he doesn't plan to be the only player to do so.

Peterson made his feelings known to the Houston Chronicle in the aftermath of the comments made by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who said that players were "disrespecting the flag" by kneeling during the anthem. Brees later apologized for his comments.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick protested racial injustice in the United States by kneeling during the anthem in the 2016 season. Kaepernick has yet to sign with an NFL team since opting out of his contract with the 49ers in 2017.

"Years ago, seeing Kaepernick taking a knee, now we're all ready to take a knee together going into this season without a doubt," Peterson said.

When asked by the Houston Chronicle if he will take a knee, Peterson replied: "Without a doubt, without a doubt."

The NFL adopted a policy in 2018 that required players to stand for the national anthem, but allowed them to stay in the locker room during it if they chose. The league has since pulled the policy back after an agreement with the NFL Players Association.

Peterson, who played 10 seasons (2007-16) with the Minnesota Vikings, contends that more players will be taking a knee this season following national protests over the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.

"We've got to put the effort in as a group collectively. Are they going to try to punish us all? If not, playing football is going to help us save lives and change things, then that's what it needs to be," Peterson told the newspaper.

Peterson, 35, is currently fifth on the all-time rushing list with 14,216 yards.

Peterson was a team captain and led Washington in attempts (211), rushing yards (898) and rushing touchdowns (5) last season.

Peterson has played in 164 career games. He currently ranks No. 8 in rushing attempts (3,036), No. 4 in rushing touchdowns (111) and No. 8 in yards per game (86.7) in NFL history.

Next up on the rushing list would be Barry Sanders, who is 1,053 yards ahead of Peterson and fourth on the all-time rushing list.

Peterson is 12 rushing touchdowns behind Marcus Allen for third all-time.

-reuters-

Report: Kaepernick would play for Redskins

Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick is ready and willing to play for the Washington Redskins if they have interest in signing him, Yahoo Sports reported on Sunday.

Yahoo cited two sources close to Kaepernick saying he is willing to play for any of the league's teams, including Washington. 

Asked if Kaepernick would play for the Redskins as soon as Week 15, a source told Yahoo, "He's a professional Super Bowl-caliber quarterback and in the best shape of his life and he would play if given the opportunity on any NFL team."

Some have speculated that Kaepernick would not be interested in playing for the team owned by Dan Snyder, both because of Snyder's opposition to players who have knelt during the national anthem and because of the team's controversial nickname and logo.

Washington head coach Jay Gruden told reporters this week the team had discussed Kaepernick as an option after losing its top two quarterbacks -- Alex Smith and Colt McCoy -- to injury, but concluded it would be too difficult to fit Kaepernick into the offense quickly.

"There's not a lot of time to get a brand-new quarterback and system installed in a couple of days," Gruden said. "He's been talked about, but we'll probably go in a different direction."

ESPN reported Sunday morning that no NFL teams, including Washington, have reached out to Kaepernick. Yahoo confirmed that the Redskins have not contacted Kaepernick.

Washington signed Mark Sanchez on Nov. 19 after Smith went down, then added Josh Johnson -- who hadn't thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2011 -- this week after McCoy was hurt Monday.

Sanchez started Sunday's 40-16 loss to the New York Giants but was benched in the third quarter after going 6-of-14 passing for 38 yards and two interceptions. 

Johnson led two scoring drives and was 11-of-16 passing for 195 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while rushing for 45 yards and a score.

Gruden told reporters afterward that the team would get Johnson ready to start next week at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kaepernick, who began kneeling during the national anthem in August of 2016 as a form of protest against racial injustice, has an active collusion grievance against the NFL alleging owners conspired to keep him from being signed. 

He has been a free agent since early in 2017.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

NFL Supplemental Draft 2012: Robert Griffin III reportedly wants Redskins to take Josh Gordon

Robert Griffin III has been lobbying the Washington Redskins to take his former Baylor teammate wide receiver Josh Gordon in Thursday's NFL Supplemental Draft, CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported Wednesday via Twitter.

Griffin, the second pick in the regular draft last April, is said to be "pushing the Redskins brass hard" to use a 2013 pick Thursday on Gordon, who worked out for teams on Tuesday.

If Griffin is lobbying behind the scenes, his recent comments about Gordon showed no indication he's interested in a reunion.

"I mean, it's up to him. Whether he wants to make it or not. I can't say whether he's going to be successful or not be successful. It's just to him and what he wants to do to leave his legacy," Griffin told SB Nation in a telephone interview.

As SN draft expert Russ Lande noted in his evaluation of Gordon: "Gordon was on the verge of being a productive college receiver after a 42-catch sophomore season in 2010. However, he was dismissed from Baylor for violating team rules. Gordon was arrested in 2010 on a marijuana possession charge. He sat out the 2011 season when he transferred to Utah. There are questions about Gordon’s maturity and decision making."

source: aol.sportingnews.com