Chris Long On Why He Became The First White Player To Publicly Support A Teammate’s Anthem Protest

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Chris Long is one of my favorite players in the NFL and not just because he defied Boston’s no public drinking order by slamming some Natty Ice during the Patriots victory parade. Though that definitely helped.

It’s more because dude is always keeping it 100. From saying he completely understood being cut by the Rams because “I played like shit” to the way he handled the trolls who came at him for skipping a trip to the White House, Long is never afraid to just be completely and totally honest.

You may not always agree with what he believes or says, but at the very least he isn’t one of those athletes or celebrities who hides behind clichés and non-answers.

Just last month Long had some excellent takes on the whole Colin Kaepernick – Michael Vick dustup. Here are a couple of them…

https://twitter.com/JOEL9ONE/status/887479359296110592

https://twitter.com/JOEL9ONE/status/887478706301743104

Now, however, Long is putting action into his words as on Thursday night during the national anthem when teammate Malcolm Jenkins displayed a protest to racial inequality in America Long became the first white player to actually display a public show of support by putting his arm around Jenkins.

By the way, Long played college football at the University of Virginia. Guess where that is located? Charlottesville.

Later, after the game, Long explained the reasoning behind his actions…

“I just told Malcolm, ‘I’m here for you,’” Long said afterward. “I think it’s a good time for people that look like me to be here for people that are fighting for equality.”

Said Jenkins: “This is a moment in time where he feels the need to kind of take that step and lead, and I appreciate that.”

Kudos to Chris Long for having the stones to show support for a cause so dear to so many. Perhaps he has cracked opened a door that has long needed to be kicked down.