Colin Kaepernick is "willing to die" for the social justice cause he launched three weeks ago by refusing to salute the American flag and national anthem. So says Stephen A. Smith on ESPN2 "First Take."
Kaepernick said Tuesday he has received multiple death threats for his protest .
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The fact the 49ers quarterback is not intimidated shows Kaepernick is "willing to die" for his cause of social change, Smith said on Wednesday morning's "First Take." Smith was referring to Kaepernick's Tuesday presser where he calmly discussed the death threats over recent weeks. Yes, he will continue to take a knee during NFL games, said Kaepernick. No, he doesn't have a death wish.
"If something like that were to happen, you've proved my point," Kaepernick told reporters. "It will be loud and clear for everyone why it happened. That will move this movement forward at a greater speed than it is now. Granted, I don't want that to happen. But that's the realization of what could happen. I knew there were other things that came along with this when I first stood up and spoke about it. That's not something I haven't thought about."
Essentially, "Colin Kaepernick just said he's willing to die for the cause he's taken up. That's what he said," Smith told "First Take" cast mates Max Kellerman and Molly Qerim.
"He said it doesn't want it to happen, he's not wishing for it to happen. But if it happens, it will just shine a more illuminated light on the cause he's willing to address, which is racial injustices in the country."
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Qerim said roughly 20 NFL players have followed Kaepernick's lead by taking a knee or raising a fist during the playing of the "Star-Spangled Banner."
Smith noted the riots in Charlotte, N.C. Tuesday night after another police shot and killed another African-American. If some nut harms Kaepernick, there would be social unrest, hinted Smith.
"The way this world is going right now, nothing better not happen to Colin Kaepernick," Smith said. "There would be a problem. We don't want that."
