When a Sponsorship Vanished Over a Meeting | NFL News

0:00On September 2nd, Nate Boyer, a former NFL player and green beret, had a big sponsorship lined up for his foundation, merging vets and players, which supports veterans and former NFL athletes. This sponsorship was a significant 5-figure deal from a major brand. However, just as they were preparing for a college football tour, the company abruptly canceled, leaving Boyer stunned. The reason for the cancellation, Boyer eventually learned, was that the company's legal team discovered he had met with Colin Kaepernick, years prior. This meeting happened after Kaepernick began his national anthem protests. Despite Boyer's attempts to get a clear explanation, the company stopped communicating with him. Boyer initially struggled with Kaepernick's protest, as the flag represented sacrifice and freedom to him. But after hearing Kaepernick's full explanation for his actions, Boyer understood the quarterback stance on systemic oppression. Boyer, who believes in freedom of speech, saw Kaepernick's protest as an opportunity for

1:00important societal discussion. This situation continued to have ripple effects. Boyer, known for his unique military and football background, found himself in the spotlight. But he declined media appearances that he felt had a predetermined narrative. Instead, he shared his nuanced perspective in an open letter, aiming to reach the majority of people who felt unheard. Even though years have passed since Kaepernick's protests, the impact lingers. Boyer's foundation recently lost a major sponsorship, directly linked to his past meeting with Kaepernick. Boyer remains grateful for the connections he made through this experience, hoping history will view Kaepernick's actions through a balanced lens. This has been NFL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story.