Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images(NEW YORK) — Terrell Owens has a message for Colin Kaepernick: “He has done a great job.”
Owens, one of the most accomplished receivers in NFL history, recently spoke with ABC News about his appearance on Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars, as well as other issues related to the NFL.
He talked about Kaepernick choosing to kneel during the playing of the national anthem, which has propelled other players league-wide into further demonstrations. He believes Kaepernick’s actions and the demonstrations of others around the NFL have brought “a lot of dialogue to what I think people have been silenced about for a long time.”
Asked if athletes during playing days felt the way Kaepernick does when it comes to social issues, Owens says the difference today is that players are simply “standing up for themselves” after years of facing “people dictating what we do or say” when they wanted to discuss issues of race and social injustice.
Owens adds, “It’s about time.”
The six-time Pro Bowl receiver also does not think there is a good reason to explain why half the season has been completed and Kaepernick is yet to be signed by a team. Owens believes it is “really messed up this guy is not in the league based on his social views.”
Kaepernick recently filed a grievance against the NFL for collusion, claiming NFL owners “have colluded to deprive Mr. Kaepernick of employment rights in retaliation for Mr. Kaepernick’s leadership and advocacy for equality and social justice and his bringing awareness to peculiar institutions still undermining racial equality in the United States.”
Owens also talked about his relationship with the NFL and whether he would like to coach, become a television analyst, or return to playing. Owens, 43, last played an NFL game in 2010.
He did not completely rule out an on-field return if the opportunity presented itself, but conceded “the only way I would be involved [in the NFL] is playing, and I know that’s not in the future any time soon.”
Despite so much success on the football field, Owens admits he “never really was a fan of football,” and instead prefers following basketball. He adds that in spite of interest from different companies in bringing him on as an analyst, he did not feel there is a role conducive for his personality available.
When it comes to players celebrating after touchdowns, something Owens did often in his playing days, he believes “times have evolved” and people are accepting of players celebrating after they score and are more excited about it.
The NFL recently relaxed restrictions on players celebrating after they score touchdowns. Owens calls the league “smart” for making a move, and believes it better engages fans.
As for his post-football career, Owens says he really is not sure what his next move is. During his most recent television appearance with Dancing with the Stars, Owens was eliminated from the show along with his dance partner, Cheryl Burke.
He called it “a great opportunity” saying he just wanted “try something different.”
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