Roger Goodell encourages NFL players to speak out on social issues

Roger Goodell has encouraged NFL players to speak out on social issues in response to Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that he wants the league's players to speak out on social issues after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other players have decided not to stand for the national anthem before games, according to USA Today.

Kaepernick and others have begun to take a knee instead of standing for the anthem to protest social and racial injustices in the United States.

Just a week ago, Goodell said that he didn't necessarily agree with what Kaeperinck was doing, adding ''on the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL. I personally believe very strongly in that.''

This Sunday, Goodell offered a more supportive take.

"As I've said before, I truly respect our players wanting to speak out and change the community," Goodell said. "We don't live in a perfect society. We want them to use that voice. They're moving from protests to progress and trying to make things happen in the communities, and I admire that about our players [being] willing to do that."

Kaepernick has pledged to donate $1 million of his salary to organizations that help various communities.

"Obviously, we want to respect people," Goodell said. "We want to respect our differences. We want to respect our flag and our country, and our players understand that. So I think where they're moving and how they're moving there is very productive, and we're going to encourage that."

- Scooby Axson