“[It] needs to be done,” Tavarres said Monday, via ESPN. “Will there be backlash? Probably. I don’t think anyone has bought my jersey yet, so I don’t know if it’s going to be burned, but it’s a major issue and I’m definitely going to stand my ground for this one.”
Well, that’s what Tavarres said initially, before his agent stepped in, apparently.
MORE: Kaepernick reminds us of our ridiculous to punish dissent
Tavarres has been safe from roster cuts for now as the Eagles trimmed to 74 players, one below Tuesday’s 75-man requirement. But there’s a likely possibility of his becoming a distraction because of stance.
One look at the outrage sparked by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (who first decided to sit during the anthem) is enough to know Tavarres’ actions won’t go by quietly. The 49ers quarterback has been called every name in the book and is still trending on social media several days after taking his stance.
Tavarres says he “respects” Kaepernick’s decision to take a stand for something he believes in and feels comfortable doing the same.
“In this situation, I’ve really got nothing to lose,” he said. “I’m a rookie free agent, haven’t signed any major contract, so there’s not a lot of money on the line, I don’t have any big endorsement deals on the line. Really what’s at stake is my pride and what kind of man would I be and what kind of African-American would I be if I didn’t stand my ground on this issue we have today?”
