ROGER GODDELL: ADMISSION OF GUILT VINDICATES COLLIN KAEPERNICK

“First, my condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and all the families who have endured police brutality. We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter. I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much needed change in this country. Without black players, there would be no National Football League. And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff. We are listening. I am listening, and I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family.” - Roger Goddell, Commissioner NFL. 

ICHEOKU says with those words NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell admitted that the National Football League was wrong in not realizing that racism is a plague which has hounded black people for so long and still continuing till this day. An apology which is specifically directed to and rehire of Colin Kaepernick will be the right and proper thing to do as a necessary good-faith follow up to his sudden come to Jesus moment. Believing that his epiphany is real, ICHEOKU says Roger Goddell should consider taking some tangible actions, including spending towards improving the lives of black Americans. He could start by donating substantial amount of money to black causes and establishing education foundation for black people who want to go to college, including law and medical schools. He can even immortalize his name by naming the foundation after himself. 

Roger Goddell can also cause the NFL to endow a medical health foundation for indigent black people who cannot afford health insurance or establish a food program for those who cannot feed themselves and their children. At $50million a year income, Roger Goddell is a very wealthy man and could easily afford to give up 10% of his wealth to help pay for these beneficial commitments to black people and help make black lives matter more. But he might just be flowing with the times and wanted to be heard as sympathetic to the cause without seriously meaning what he said, afterall he has been around this Ife for over 50 years and cannot in all sincerity say that he is not aware that there is a race problem in America. 

But ICHEOKU will like to give him the benefit of the doubt that regardless of what his position was in the past that he is now prepared to turn the page, as a more aware and conscious person who now understands the racial problem afflicting black people in America. However, ICHEOKU does not agree with a return to a statusquo which nearly killed the NFL with players kneeling down during national anthem. It is divisive and it is a hot button issue and should be avoided going forward. The point has been made and it has registered; and for purposes of carrying everyone along, there should be no more kneeling during the anthem which most people interpret as disrespecting of the flag. Rather, the NFL should increase substantially any effort it makes to ameliorate the plight of black people in America through funding of programs beneficial to them. 

If the NFL can bring itself to pay for ten black people to get trained as lawyers and/or medical doctors or as any other professional every year, then Roger Goddell would have etched his name in gold as one who made some difference in the lives of black people. By helping them get professional education, he would have taught them how to fish and they can then fish for their families and also teach others in their communities how to fish. Collectively, they will help improve the economic situation in their communities as well as help improve the general wellbeing of their people. 

Roger Goddell knows very well that action is always better than words and therefore he should put his money where his mouth is by redistributing some of his wealth to black people. That way, he will actually help to improve the lives of some black people and actually make black lives to matter. Overall, his statement has the right tone and was well received; ICHEOKU appreciates him for boldly stepping up to make it, but adds that more is expected.