Redskins running back Adrian Peterson says you'll see him and many other NFL players taking a knee this coming season.
"Without a doubt," he told reporters Friday, when asked if he will kneel this fall, in protest of police brutality. "We're all getting ready to take a knee together."
#NFL great Adrian Peterson asked if he will take a knee at games this fall: "Without a doubt." Adds "We're all getting ready to take a knee together."
— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) June 5, 2020George Floyd's killing by police in Minnesota last week has served as a turning point in America, sparking a cultural awakening to the unjust treatment of African-Americans in the U.S. that's seen millions protest nationwide since Floyd's death.
With the conviction of a true leader, Peterson vowed to take a stand this fall, in the same vein as Colin Kaepernick, who famously kneeled during national anthems as a member of the 49ers in 2016. Kaepernick hasn't played a down in the NFL since.
"Are they going to try to punish us all?" said Peterson. "If not playing football is going to help us save lives and change things, then that's just what it has to be."
Asked about potential fallout from taking a knee, all time great @AdrianPeterson says with conviction: "Are they going to try to punish us all? If not playing football is going to help us save lives and change things then that's just what it has to be." #NFL
— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) June 5, 2020All time great @AdrianPeterson on the pain of the discussions he's had with his children following the death of George Floyd: "It's hard for me to sit there and say, son, it's mainly because of the color of his skin." #GeorgeFloyd
— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) June 5, 2020More from @AdrianPeterson on George Floyd's death: "It affects anyone who has a heart."
— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) June 5, 2020Peterson also took a personal stand on Twitter, writing, "I am a BLACK MAN! I build .... I don't tear down other BLACK MEN! I have felt the pain of being torn down and I have decided I will be deliberate about building others!"
I am a BLACK MAN!I build .... I don't tear down other BLACK MEN!I have felt the pain of being torn down and I have decided I will be deliberate about building others! pic.twitter.com/z82azdJDz3
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) June 5, 2020"All too often, we men find it easier to criticize each other, instead of building each other up," he went on to write. "With all the negativity going around let's do something positive!!"
All too often, we men find it easier to criticize each other, instead of building each other up. With all the negativity going around let's do something positive!! ✊--✊--✊--✊--✊--#everybody pic.twitter.com/WIKfTW971k
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) June 5, 2020Peterson spent the afternoon alongside Alex Bregman of the Astros giving out food to families in need in the Houston area.
.@Redskins RB @AdrianPeterson helping families in need in Houston. pic.twitter.com/dJrSSou1B2
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 5, 2020Alex Bregman and Adrian Peterson handing out food today in Houston. pic.twitter.com/Ggmr7WJFce
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 5, 2020
