J. Cole incorporates politics into his live performances. (Shareif Ziyadat/WireImage)
J. Cole believes NFL fans who really back Colin Kaepernick may have to make a challenging sacrifice. The rapper proposed that if supporters of the free agent quarterback are really down for his cause, they need to stop watching football. Period.
While the rapper applauded players on teams like the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars who found “the courage to kneel” on Sunday, Sept. 24,” he said there’s a better way to make the NFL hurt.
Your eyes translate to advertising money for the League and it's owners.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Cole also took a swipe at team owners, like Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who decried President Donald Trump’s put down of football stars exercising their first amendment rights.
Kraft said he felt “deep disappointment” with the Commander-in-Chief, according to the Associated Press.
You and me have the power to deny them our attention ($$ to them) until they make a wrong situation right.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
J. Cole acknowledged that even though he’s only a rapper, he had a bold idea on how to effectively boycott the NFL.
And compensate the man for his losses if they determine he was.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Well, you have a choice on how you respond to that. You can choose to not watch.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
"If not, why are you spending all this money with a League that clearly condones that? … "
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
So, next you turn your attention to these sponsors.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
"If not, why are you spending all this money with a League that clearly condones that? … "
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
And he wants fans to keep that protest going.
J. Cole realized how difficult it would be for fans to give up their beloved sport. After all, it was initially hard for him during the preseason. However, when realizing the sacrifices generations before him made — like refusing to the take the bus during the Jim Crow era — he was okay with not watching.
This may be the biggest opportunity we have ever been presented to come together and show the world and ourselves our true economic power.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
Ima stop it there. Peace and love to all, let's give energy to the solutions not the problem. Even if you don't rock with mine.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 24, 2017
J. Cole’s Socially Conscious Journey
Spike Lee and J. Cole Offer Support for Colin Kaepernick, as NFL Teams Refuse to Sign Him
J. Cole Has ‘Life-Changing Experience’ On Visit with Inmates Serving Life Sentences at San Quentin
J. Cole Says Rap Beefs Keep Black People Down and He’s Done with Them
While several people backed the rapper’s proposal…
— John (@John_Jerryy) September 24, 2017
— John (@John_Jerryy) September 24, 2017
…others expressed a bit more hesitation.
When J. Cole suggests people stop watching NFL: pic.twitter.com/jBxDGChu56
— 🌙 Chelsea ✨ (@ChelsDiesel) September 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/kkitschy/status/912275735515209729
J. Cole’s messages came the same day more than 200 NFL stars knelt, sat or linked arms in protest. The demonstration followed Trump’s call Sunday for any athlete who protests “The Star-Spangled Banner” to be fired.
The boycott isn’t just limited to the NFL, either. Oakland A’s catcher and MLB rookie Bruce Maxwell knelt. On Saturday, he became the first in the league to do so. No strangers to standing up for causes, the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx linked arms during the anthem Sunday.
“Our players are some of the most socially conscious that you will ever find,” WNBA commissioner Lisa Borders told reporters at a pregame press conference Sunday, according to USA Today. “You have seen that in the years before I got here, and I’m sure it will continue in the future.”
