Kobe Bryant would have kneeled in support of Kaepernick if he was still playing at time of quarterback's protest
Colin Kaepernick was one of the first to mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash on Sunday. It was fitting as the controversial ex NFL player, who triggered controversy with his divisive kneeling during games, found consistent support from the late NBA legend amidst the outrage that ensued after his decision.
"I would have participated in it, for sure," Bryant once stated in support of former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick's infamous national anthem protest. "I am sure I would have got some flak for it. That’s fine."
Bryant was never politically active in his career, however, he began voicing his political opinion after retiring in 2016, unlike other NBA legends before him. The basketball star, who left the association just months before Kaepernick's protest, in an interview with The Undefeated in 2018, had said that if he were still in uniform, he definitely would have protested in solidarity with Kaepernick's message.
"I think that Colin’s message was a very simple one. It was police brutality needs to stop. We need to take a look at that," Bryant said.
Kaepernick stirred national controversy in 2016, in an effort to protest against reported police brutality against black people in the country. Other players soon took his cue and joined the protest in the 2016 season by taking a knee during the national anthem. There are several others who have continued the protest till now. Kaepernick's movement, however, drew heavy criticism from many, including President Donald Trump, who even called for the owners of the NFL teams to fire the players who were participating in it.
Bryant believed in what Kaepernick stood for and his right for peaceful protest. The NBA star, while answering the outlet's question on what the situation would have been in his team if he had protested, said: "I don't think any of the players I have played with would have an issue with it. I think we understand this is a free country, I think we have a right for peaceful protest. In my point of view, that is what the flag represents as well."
"The ability to speak, the ability to voice your opinion. Everybody is entitled to that," he had said. "If there are people up in arms about it, they certainly have the right to do that as well. As we certainly have the right to protest peacefully."
As the NFL quarterback received mounting criticism for his activism — receiving a near-total blackout from the league — Bryant always remained supportive of Kaepernick. The Los Angeles Lakers believed that Kaepernick is "the epitome of doing what he believes is right," and had lauded his "bravery" during an interview with the ESPN. The 41-year-old also donated to the quarterback's fundraising campaign, saying: "It is very hard as a black athlete to simply sit here."
When asked about which black athlete's leadership impressed him in current times, the Los Angeles Lakers legend had said: "Colin Kaepernick."
"He is the epitome of doing what he believes is right," Bryant told ESPN. "Things have been taken out of context and the message he wanted to send across misconstrued. Having the bravery to be able to do that, we should all stand for it."
Kaepernick and Bryant were both Nike athletes, and the latter also backed the popular sports brand's support of the quarterback in September 2019, saying he was not surprised by it. Nike had received an immediate backlash in September 2018, after the brand had announced Kaepernick as the face of its Just Do It campaign.
The players' reciprocative support was reflective in Kaepernick's tweet honoring the NBA legend after his tragic death on Sunday, January 26. Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The chopper was carrying his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant, and seven others. None survived the fatal crash.
"I will remember Kobe as a basketball legend, a father & a man," Kaepernick tweeted late Sunday night. "Watching him & Gigi share their relationship with us is something I won't ever forget. My heart aches for his wife, children & family. I hope the waves of love being sent to his family can ease some of the pain they feel."
Meanwhile, Bryant's advocacy of Kaepernick's message will continue to live on after his death, with the player predicting the quarterback's rise to the top again.
"He’ll get his shot," Bryant said. "There are a lot of people out there who want to see him fail, and he is not going to. He’ll rise to the top again, and everyone will look back and say what a great story he was. That's what going to happen."