Nelly Shows Support For Colin Kaepernick, Compares Kneeling Protests To Rosa Parks

As a new regular on Fox Sports 1’s “Undisputed,” rapper Nelly made his debut appearance on the sports debate show on Tuesday. The rapper, a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA, discussed how Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest will affect the sports world.

According to Nelly, Kaepernick’s issue about standing up for wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States is a serious one, and he agrees with the San Francisco 49ers quarterback. “If you look at any type of movement all throughout history, when Rosa Parks didn’t get up, she was tired. Had she not been tired maybe she would have got up. Maybe it hadn’t started then. It doesn’t matter when it starts or how it starts or why it starts. The thing is it’s here.”

While the Rosa Parks comparison may seem odd, Nelly went on to explain that “even Rosa Parks was questioned by other passengers for her refusal to move.”

“They’re not looking at the significance of what she’s doing at that time. It doesn’t matter when it starts and the scenario around it, it’s the focus of it,” said Nelly.

“For someone like Colin Kaepernick to jeopardize everything he’s worked for up to this point… I think the brother’s genuine, I’m definitely in his corner. I know Colin, I’ve met him a few times. I think we don’t know the real Colin Kaepernick yet because I think he’s finding himself.” Nelly also made sure to reminded fans of the sport that “football is a game, that kneel is about life.”

The rapper is not the first hip-hop artist to show his support for Kaepernick. In September, both J. Cole and Trey Songz performed at concerts wearing the quarterback’s jersey. Chris Brown has also showed his support when he kneeled during the national anthem at a charity basketball game.