“First thing we got to get Colin to do is cut his hair.” — @MikeVick advises Kaepernick on rebuilding his image pic.twitter.com/YENvUPOIgP
— Speak For Yourself (@SFY) July 17, 2017
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has an idea about how Colin Kaepernick can improve his image and it involves the free agent getting rid of his famous afro.
“First thing we’ve got to get Colin to do is cut his hair,” Vick said on “Speak for Yourself” Monday, July 17. “Listen, I’m not up here to try to be politically correct. Even if he puts cornrows in there. I don’t think he should represent himself in that way in terms of just the hairstyle. Just go clean-cut. You know, why not? You’re already dealing with a lot of controversy surrounding this issue. The most important thing that he needs to do is just try to be presentable. … It’s time for Colin to step up in a different way and I think part of the reason why he’s not signed to a team right now is because of the last two seasons.”
In March, Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers after playing with them since 2011. During the 2016 NFL season, the charitable athlete drew applause as well as backlash for refusing to stand during the national anthem in protest of a “country that oppresses Black people and people of color.”
“I just think perception and image is everything,” Vick says. “This is not the Colin Kaepernick that we’ve known since he entered the National Football League. I’m just going off my personal experiences. Listen, I love the guy to death. But I want him to also succeed on and off the field. This has to be a start for him.”
Vick acknowledged he was advised to clean up his image during his career. After spending 18 months in a federal prison due financing a dogfighting operation, he decided a new image was crucial for him to continue in the NFL.
“It’s not about selling out,” he says when host Jason Whitlock asked if fans may accuse Kaepernick of doing so. “When you’re good, and you’re playing great, then you’re going to be wanted. People are going to want to sign you, going to want to see you play.”
Twitter users quickly sounded off on Vick’s stance.
We are all entitled to our own opinion, but this opinion is way out in left field.
— Samuel Gardner III (@SGIII) July 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/_TheOpinion/status/887115563817979904
Umm, NO. pic.twitter.com/U0TZ5sBBBh
— Ligaya Loyola (@LigayaLoyola) July 17, 2017
Several were in favor of Kaepernick keeping his ‘fro.
I happen to love Kaepernick’s ‘fro and his cornrows- and more importantly his generosity. He doesn’t need to cut jack sh*t
— ReBecca Theodore (@FilmFatale_NYC) July 17, 2017
Why is an Afro a bad appearance?
— Rocafella Chain (@phoenixeyeview) July 17, 2017
I can't believe Mike Vick said kaepernick needs to cut his hair .. no cornrows … Vick you had braids your whole career #kaepernick
— I AM (@RobDash6) July 17, 2017
Some made jokes at Vick’s expense.
https://twitter.com/thecoolsection/status/887091356866301953
When Mike Vick is on set with Jason Whitlock and you can't tell who's the coon pic.twitter.com/D7AdVNYHJT
— Fade in Da Water (@Blike_Dante) July 17, 2017
RIP Mike Vick we lost a legend today smh pic.twitter.com/EPY2iE6wtt
— Just Here For The Zipline (@RyanPrime_) July 18, 2017
