Colin Kaepernick turns NFL workout into media circus
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick switched his workout location at the last minute to a high school from the Atlanta Falcons' training facility; reaction from Fox News media analyst Howard Kurtz.
A Georgia Democratic congressman said that Colin Kaepernick is a “victim” of the NFL because he "exercised his First Amendment right," according to a report.
Rep. Hank Johnson told TMZ Sports that it may be time for the government to step in and act on behalf of the former San Francisco 49ers star.
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Johnson is curious if the league is abusing the anti-trust exemption to collude to keep players such as Kaepernick from the field. Earlier this year, the NFL paid Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid a nearly $10 million settlement over allegations that owners colluded to keep them from playing on a team.
"It's possible that Congress can do something," Johnson told TMZ Sports. "Congress oversees the anti-trust exemption that we gave the NFL. The NFL is doing quite well with that anti-trust exemption, maybe it's time for us to take a fresh look at it."
Johnson wondered if a Congressional investigation is needed to see if the exemption should be revoked; the exemption allows individual teams to work together as a monopoly to negotiate more lucrative broadcasting deals.
Rep. Hank Johnson said that Colin Kaepernick is a “victim” of the NFL because he "exercised his First Amendment right," according to a report. (Congressman Hank Johnson / AP)
He added: "Maybe (the NFL feels) a little heat about their anti-trust exemption and the fact that the Judiciary Committee stands ready under the leadership of the chair of the anti-trust subcommittee (Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I.) to perhaps look at that anti-trust exemption."
Johnson, who represents Georgia's 4th district, has made news over head-turning comments before.
In January, Johnson repeatedly compared President Trump to Adolf Hitler during a fiery speech at a Baptist church in Atlanta.
The Atlanta NAACP posted video online of his speech in which he compared the president to the Nazi leader responsible for the killing of 6 million Jews during World War II.
“Much like how Hitler took over the Nazi party, Trump has taken over the Republican Party,” Johnson said.
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At another point, Johnson said, “Hitler was accepting of violence towards the achievement of political objectives. Trump encouraged violence against protesters at his rallies.”
In 2010, Johnson famously expressed “fear” during a congressional hearing that Guam could "tip over and capsize" because of overpopulation.