Ex-ESPN Host Slams GQ for Kaepernick Issue: ‘What a Joke’

Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Dec. 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

A former ESPN host lashed out at GQ magazine for naming free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick its “Citizen of the Year” this week.

Britt McHenry tweeted Monday that the former 49ers quarterback isn’t deserving of the magazine’s award, saying there are other sports figures who are more worthy.

She slammed Kaepernick, who started the trend of protesting during the U.S. national anthem last season.

“Wear socks depicting police officers as pigs; wear Fidel Castro as a fashion statement IN MIAMI; sue NFL for collusion when gf compares owners to slave owners... Win Citizen of the Year,” she wrote. “Serve in the US military...nothing. What a joke, GQ,” she added, with the hashtag “#kaepernick.”

Regarding the Fidel Castro comment, Kaepernick wore a shirt with the Cuban communist dictator on it to a press conference last year. The move was pilloried by Orlando Sentinel sports columnist George Diaz. Diaz said his family had to leave Cuba in 1961 due to the oppressive Castro regime. “So yes, I find it personally insulting that Kaepernick is oblivious to the fact that Castro is one of the most vile dictators of modern times with extensive human rights violations,” he opined.

McHenry then noted that J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans raised millions of dollars for Hurricane Harvey victims.

“JJ Watt raised $37 million for Hurricane Harvey victims. 37 MILLION! But Kaepernick refused to stand for our national anthem (a year ago) and is Citizen of the Year,” she tweeted.

And she noted that other NFL players who are protesting during the anthem, including Malcolm Jenkins of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kenny Stills of the Miami Dolphins, are more deserving because they actually met with officials to help their community.

“For those who think I don’t get the reason for protest you’re wrong. Eagles Malcolm Jenkins met with lawmakers to help community. Dolphins Kenny Stills met with Miami police. More examples of Citizen of the Year,” she wrote.

McHenry said that she believes she was fired from ESPN due to her conservative viewpoints.