Colin Kaepernick's Afro hairstyle is all the media rage today. Perhaps, not since the musical "Hair" opened on Broadway in 1968 has the media made so much of someone's hairstyle. On Monday, retired football star Michael Vick said it would be a good idea for Kaepernick to sharpen up his image by cutting his hair and making himself more "presentable" to potential NFL suitors. Indignant Left-stream media erupted with disapproval, and Kaepernick himself tweeted a strong response.
Appearing on Fox Sports 1's Speak for Yourself program, co-host Jason Whitlock told his guest, Vick, that he'd like to see Kaepernick rehabilitate himself in the same way Vick did coming out of prison and being mentored by Tony Dungy. Vick responded:
First thing we’ve got to get Colin to do is cut his hair. Listen, I’m not up here to try to be politically correct. Even if he puts cornrows in there. I don’t think he should represent himself in that way (wearing the Afro). Just the hairstyle. Just go clean-cut. You know, why not? You're already dealing with a lot, a lot of controversy surrounding this issue. He needs to ... just try to be presentable. It's time for Colin to step up in a different way.
I just think perception and image is everything. This is not the Colin Kaepernick that we've known since he entered the National Football League. I’m just going off my personal experiences. Listen, I love the guy to death. But I want him to also succeed on and off the field. This has to be a start for him.
After that, Whitlock accurately predicted what would follow -- a social media explosion.
Mike Freeman, who writes for the liberal Bleacher Report blog, reacted strongly, tweeting, "I continue to write on Kaepernick because I think his treatment by owners is about bigotry and fear. Not football. Pretty simple to me".
ESPN's Jemele Hill also got huffy on Twitter, saying, "Colin Kaepernick's hair is irrelevant. The owners don't like that he's outspoken. That's it." And, "So 80 percent of NFL customers like players who beat women? Because it's funny how those guys still get signed regardless".
The Washington Post's Des Bieler observed:
Vick’s comments quickly drew criticism and he walked them back in a Tuesday morning tweet. 'Colin Kaepernick’s hair has nothing to do with him not being on a NFL roster right now. Let’s be clear! I wish only the best for Colin. I stand by what I’ve said about him being signed at some point this season to help a NFL club. I think he is a great kid who has a bright future and I’m looking forward to seeing him on the field again. Trust and believe what I said was not in malice.
Kaepernick took to twitter and commented with what The New York Times' Victor Mather saw as a "veiled shot" at Vick:
Robert Littal, of Black Sports Online, accused Vick of "pushing a narrative of white comfortability," and also wrote: “It is sad we as black people still have to deal with what I call the perfection double standard, it is so disheartening to see Michael Vick of all people essentially say that for Colin Kaepernick to play in the NFL he needs to shuck and jive for NFL owners. We aren’t supposed to be judged by the color of our skin or our haircuts, we are supposed to be judged by our actions. So, if you have a fade and wear a suit, that makes you a better person?”
On ESPN's First Take program, former NFL players ripped Vick. Damien Woody said of Vick's remarks, "This is the most preposterous thing I've ever heard Michael Vick say." Kirk Morrison said of Vick, "He's way out of line."
Sean Wagner of CBS Sports used the controversy to serve as a "pitchman" for Kaepernick. He focused on the free agent quarterback's charitable efforts -- donating sneaker sales to the homeless, flying food and water to Somalia, donating money to Meals on Wheels and giving suits to parolees. Lots of athletes not named Kaepernick are not drawing attention from CBS for their charitable work.
USA Today's Andrew Joseph offered a unique look into the statement Kaepernick is making through his hairstyle. He found Kaepernick's barber, Ralphie Stevens, whose insight is especially keen in relation to what Vick said.
"I wish I could cut it," Stevens said of the hair. "I wish I could just transform him back to what Kap was because now he’s a different person. … If I cut it and put him back in place to what he was before, oh yeah, that’s what I want to do, I want to bring him back.’’ Stevens said the current hairstyle "has helped Kaepernick’s transformation from soft-spoken quarterback to social activist who has refused to stand during the national anthem. A lot of people don’t think he’s black because his foster parents are white. So when he grows his Afro out … I feel like that’s definitely making a statement.’’
The perspectives on hair are all interesting, but a distraction from a greater issue, no less. Despite the media cheerleading for him, it's still about Kaepernick's knee and his blatant disrespect for veterans, police officers and the national anthem. All of which are keeping him on the sidelines. Afro or no Afro, this toxic quarterback is not worth the trouble he brings to the table for any team in the NFL.
