*Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice found himself in the midst of a social media firestorm in August when he tweeted “All Lives Matter” in response to Colin Kaepernick’s decision to protest America’s racism by not standing for the national anthem.
Rice tweeted his apology Wednesday night, writing, “When I said {All Lives Matter} I didn’t know about the movement going on between {Black Lives Matter}. I want to apologize for my mistake!”
When I said {All Lives Matter} I didn’t know about the movement going on between {Black Lives Matter}. I want to apologize for my mistake!
— Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) October 6, 2016
The mea culpa follows his since-deleted tweet, in which he expressed respect for the San Francisco 49ers quarterback for taking a stance against racism, but didn’t condone protesting the national anthem.
His use of the phrase “All Lives Matter,” words considered by many as a deliberate attempt to dilute and counter the message of “Black Lives Matter,” created a stir.
“All lives matter. So much going on in this world today,” Rice wrote at the time. “Can we all just get along! Colin, I respect your stance but don’t disrespect the flag.”
Response to the apology tweet by Rice, whose best playing days were with the 49ers, was mixed:
Jerry Rice is apologizing for speaking out without being adequately informed. I respect it.
— Bald SoHard (@BaldNegro) October 6, 2016
My only question, If Jerry Rice didn’t know about Black Lives Matter why did he instantly go to All Lives Matter ? C’mon bruh
— Lil Wii (@toosmoothredboi) October 6, 2016
That’s cool of Jerry Rice to apologize for speaking without being informed.
— Lwaxana Troi (@jennib3) October 6, 2016
@JerryRice so all lives don’t matter? Is that what I tell my kids? Stand up, be a man, you keep flip flopping
— Cindy (@CindyPuentes85) October 6, 2016
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