This is not your average NFL story, but I hope that it is one that will reach a larger audience, many of whom have never heard of Daily Kos.
After the Green Bay Packers’ home-game loss to the visiting Detroit Lions, Packers’ QB Aaron Rogers was asked about a fan that had shouted a racial slur directed at Muslims, during a moment of silence prior to today’s game at Lambeau Field, that was held in memoriam of the terrorist attack in Paris.
When asked about this moment, Aaron Rogers offered his response:
“Yeah, I think it’s important to do that. We’re a … connected world, six degrees of separation. I must admit that I was very disappointed with whoever the fan was, who made a comment that I thought was really inappropriate, during the moment of silence. It is that kind of prejudicial ideology that I think puts us in a position that we are in today, as a world.”
As a Chicago Bears fan with knowledge of the Bears-Packers rivalry totally intact, I am proud of Aaron Rogers for saying this. Other NFL players in recent history have fought for similarly progressive recognition:
* Chris Kluwe, Minnesota Vikings punter who took the torch of LGBT rights, and offered to conservative Maryland representative Emmet Burns a https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QFjAAahUKEwj42YWKlpTJAhUIL4gKHc-SBDE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdeadspin.com%2F5941348%2Fthey-wont-magically-turn-you-into-a-lustful-cockmonster-chris-kluwe-explains-gay-marriage-to-the-politician-who-is-offended-by-an-nfl-player-supporting-it&usg=AFQjCNG0aFGhLQT2HDu9a1cm6GhhCpnmNA&sig2=nmOBnrSW7Dl2psRENotdtQ&bvm=bv.107467506,d.cGU on the subject.
* Brendon Ayanbadejo, defensive/special teams player for the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears. As an Pro-Bowl NFL player, Ayanbadejo has https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendon_Ayanbadejo#LGBT_rights_advocacy of gay rights since 2009.
Further news on this story can be fond at the Daily Kos sister sports site,
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/11/15/9740426/aaron-rodgers-fan-anti-muslim-comments-during-moment-of-silence
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