Colin Kaepernick just received some advice from Ray Lewis: Don’t advertise your social activism.
This came a few days after the Ravens said they consulted with Baltimore’s two-time Super Bowl winning linebacker about whether they should sign the controversial quarterback.
“The football field is our sanctuary,” Lewis posted on his Twitter account. “If you do nothing else, young man, get back on the football field and let your play speak for itself. And what you do off the field, don’t let too many people know, because they gonna judge you anyway, no matter what you do, no matter if it’s good or bad.”
Kaepernick — who, as a member of the 49ers last season, became a polarizing figure after kneeling during the national anthem as his way to protest social injustice — has had a difficult time finding another NFL job.
Now the Ravens are weighing whether to sign the controversial quarterback. Somewhat surprisingly, Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti said Sunday he has consulted Lewis in the decision-making process. Lewis, among other issues during his playing career, agreed to a plea bargain stemming from a 2000 stabbing that left two dead.
“I ain’t got nothing against you. I wish you the best in life,” Lewis said in his message for Kaepernick. “I hope you chase whatever God got for you to chase. And once again, I applaud what you stood up for, because I’m in the streets every day.”
Lewis called Kaepernick a “brother for life.” He also said he prays for Kaepernick and has the quarterback’s name in his Bible.
“If people really want to help you, if they really want to help you, man, they’ll pray for you, brother,” Lewis said. “They’ll lead you the right way and stop encouraging you to be caught up in some of this nonsense. The battles you fighting, brother, people way before us have been fighting these for many, many, many years.”