On Friday Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid made an appearance at the US Open to watch Serena and Venus Williams take each other on. The two, who are currently wrapped up in legal battles with the NFL, received a warm welcome from the crowd when they were shown on the jumbotron.
Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid are at tonight’s #USOpen match between Serena Williams and Venus Williams. Loud cheer when they were shown on the Arthur Ashe Stadium Jumbotron.
— Stanley Kay (@citizen_kay) September 1, 2018
Largest cheer at Arthur Ashe stadium other than the introductions of @Venuseswilliams & @serenawilliams were for @Kaepernick7 and @E_Reid35. Rousing ovation when they were shown on the big screen. #USOpen2018
— Donnovan Bennett (@donnovanbennett) September 1, 2018
Kaepernick brought his niece to the event so she could watch Serena, who won the match over her sister. After the match she got to meet the sport’s biggest star.
Took my niece to see @serenawilliams and @venuswilliams play tonight with @E_Reid35 at Arthur Ashe stadium.
Lani lost it when Serena surprised her after the match!!!
Thank you so much Serena!!! pic.twitter.com/MpR2KOSU1V— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 1, 2018
Serena also took a moment to talk about the ovation that Kaepernick and Reid received, via Sporting News:
“I think every athlete, every human, and definitely every African American should be completely grateful and honored how Colin and Eric are doing so much more for the greater good, so to say,” Williams said. “They really use their platform in ways that is really unfathomable.”
“I feel like they obviously have great respect from a lot of their peers, especially other athletes, people that really are looking for social change.”
Maybe it’s time to pickup a racket if the whole dream of playing in the NFL is really over? The US Open crowd seem to be very supportive of the protests.
