Colin Kaepernick on Sunday may have become the first player in NFL history to be penalized for using the N-word.
After Kaepernick threw a crucial interception in the fourth quarter, the 49ers quarterback appeared to have some sort of verbal altercation with Chicago Bears defensive end Lamarr Houston. A flag came in late.
At first, an official stepped in and simply tried to separate Kaepernick and Houston. Then the flag came out, and Kaepernick received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for using “inappropriate language.” Cris Collinsworth reminded viewers that the NFL vowed to eliminate the use of certain words over the offseason. We know the N-word was one of them after the Richie Incognito bullying scandal.
Common sense would tell you that NFL officials aren’t going to flag a player for dropping the F-bomb or anything like that, otherwise the field would be littered with laundry. It’s probably safe to assume Kaepernick used some sort of racial slur. He also gave the Bears extra yardage, leading to a Chicago touchdown and a permanent lead change.
There were several players who were not in favor of the NFL banning the use of the N-word. Some even described it as a term of endearment, but the league obviously disagrees.
Video via Kissing Suzy Kolber
