Orioles' Jones: 'Baseball is a white man's sport'

Outspoken Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones said the lack of MLB players demonstrating their support for Colin Kaepernick's social-equality movement stems from African-Americans representing such a small contingent in the majors.

"We already have two strikes against us already so you might as well not kick yourself out of the game," Jones told USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale. "In football, you can't kick them out. You need those players. In baseball, they don't need us.

"Baseball is a white man's sport."

Ever since the San Francisco 49ers quarterback decided not to stand during the playing of the national anthem prior to games, several players have followed suit. This past Sunday, four NFL teams had players protest during the anthem - and it's only Week 1.

African-Americans form 68 percent of the NFL's population and 74 percent of the NBA's. However, that figure drops to just eight percent in baseball.

Kaepernick chalked his protest up to racial inequality in the country, and Jones supports the movement.

"Is Kaepernick hurting me? No. Is he hurting random people out there? No. I support his decision," Jones said. "At the end of the day, if you don't respect his freedoms, then why the hell are we Americans? It's supposed to be the Land of the Free, right?"

While Jones didn't mention whether he's considered sitting or kneeling during the national anthem, he believes blacks and whites are treated differently when it comes to publicly challenging the status quo.

"It's crazy how when people of color speak up, we're always ridiculed," Jones said. "But when people that are not of color speak up, it's their right."

As it stands, no one in the majors has openly protested during the national anthem since Kaepernick's actions gained widespread attention last month. But, if you ask Jones, it probably won't be long before someone decides to bring the movement to MLB.

"No one has done it, yet," Jones said. "But that's the key word here: Yet.

"We will see."