Former Yankees star David Wells took aim at former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick when he stepped up his criticism of Nike.
The former pitcher, 60, attended Old Timers’ Day in the Bronx last month with Derek Jeter and several other members of the 1998 World Champion New York Yankees, where he complained about everything from the “woke” culture to the club’s current problems.
Wells claimed that Nike was woke, baseball players were being coddled, and everyone should carry a gun.
When asked if he still received backlash for his comments during an appearance on “Don’t @ Me” with Dan Dakich on the OutKick network this week, Wells replied: “No, not really, I just go on social.” Media.” from time to time, and it just depends on my mood swings.
“If I’m feeling a bit naughty, I’ll go ahead and start talking a bit nonsense, but you know what? They are my beliefs. I don’t believe in all these companies getting into sports and trying to create a woke atmosphere, especially Nike with all the slave labor they do there in China.”
Former Yankees star David Wells doubled down on his criticism of “woke” Nike
The former pitcher also took aim at former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick (right)
After another swipe at Nike, Wells attacked former signalman Kaepernick, who sparked nationwide protests when he took a knee during the national anthem in 2017.
He said he saw former NBA player Enes Freedom at Frank Siller’s T2T charity golf outing at Liberty National Golf Course last weekend.
“He says it well: ‘You can’t play this bright stuff and bring it into the sport and then have everyone do it,'” Wells said.
“That’s why when [Colin] Kaepernick took the knee, that’s a little disrespectful to me because I’m a patriot. I support our military. I’m from a military town in San Diego.
“You can’t do something like that.” Your beliefs are your beliefs. I do not have a problem with it. But don’t go on national television and bow down to whatever that is. In my opinion that proves nothing. It proves that you are an idiot and are committed to a cause.
“When the anthem is there, you’re in America, you do the anthem, you do the Pledge of Allegiance.” That’s what you do. We were taught this in elementary school. Place your hand on your heart and say the Pledge of Allegiance.
He further claimed that Kaepernick’s protests were not fair to the younger generation as he urged athletes to do their “due diligence” before deciding what they would protest against, but stressed that it was not against the flag and the military of the country may take place.
Wells also insisted that he would be just as outspoken as he is today if he were still an active player in the MLB.
The 60-year-old claimed that Kaepernick’s protests were not fair to the younger generation
“Guaranteed contracts definitely exist for a reason,” Wells said.
“If you get a guaranteed contract and make 5-10-40 million a year, I would speak up like no other.” What are they going to do? If they trade you or release you, you get the money.”
The former Yankee admitted that everyone has the right to protest, but insisted that a line must be drawn between one’s stance during a sporting event and one’s own time.
“You have the right – that’s what our First Amendment is for – to express your opinions.” You have to be careful what you say from time to time, but if you care about something, support it. “If your organization wants to criticize for you, there are other organizations,” Wells said.
“All these people protesting are standing up for what they believe in, but don’t do it in sports.” Keep it to the side. Go on Twitter, but don’t do it on the field where everyone can see it.”
Wells also insisted that he would be just as open if he were still an active player in the MLB
Wells began his career as a mediocre starter for the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers, but found some success in 1995 when he earned his first of three All-Star nominations. He eventually moved to Cincinnati that season before moving to Baltimore as a free agent in 1996 and, more famously, the New York Yankees in 1997.
He pitched a perfect game for the Yankees in 1998 en route to his second World Series title.
But before the following season, Wells would be sent back to Toronto as part of a deal for Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.
However, Wells wasn’t done yet and was named to the 2000 AL All-Star team before returning to the Yankees in 2002 and ultimately finishing his career as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007.