Foster understands Kaepernick's motives, questions his method

Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster has a reputation as one of the most thoughtful players in the NFL. In the past, he's spoken out on topics including racism, violence, and the intersection between the two.

Asked to comment on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's recent decision not to stand for the national anthem in protest of the oppression faced by people of color in the U.S., Foster strongly supported Kaepernick's right to exercise his freedom, but suggested his fellow NFLer may not be going about it in the best way possible.

"I don't necessarily see that as a solution to anything," Foster told Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. "This is me talking. This is Arian talking. If that's what he felt, that's his form of protest, I support his right to protest. Those are his thoughts, his opinions."

Foster continued: "I understand 100 percent what he's doing. He's frustrated, just like me. He's just like my brother. He's just like my cousins out there. He's frustrated. It's hard seeing people get murdered and killed without repercussions."

Foster made it clear he endeavors to educate people about the systemic issues he sees in society.

"If you think about it, Marvin Gaye had a great song, "Inner City Blues," where he said 'trigger-happy policing.' That same sentiment is being said 40 years later. Is everybody crazy, or is something actually going on? I think that's the dialogue that Colin Kaepernick is trying to get started. Would I not stand up for the pledge (of allegiance)? Me? No. I don't see the correlation, in my opinion. But I understand what he's doing. The backlash that he's getting, that's what I don't understand. Sports have been used for protest for years."