Tim Tebow, ESPN college football analyst and professional baseball player in the New York Mets organization, has weighed in on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his controversial stance regarding the National Anthem and deceased Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
During a Monday appearance on "Fox & Friends", Tebow, an outspoken Christian, said public figures such as Kaepernick should be bringing the country together - not tearing it apart.
"I just think for me, my goal has always been able to bring faith, hope and love to people, especially in their darkest hours of need," he said. "I think what we need right now is bringing people together in this country more than separating people, so that's my goal."
Months after coming under fire for taking a knee during the National Anthem before NFL games in protest of what he deemed are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States, Kaepernick is making headlines once again. This time, however, it's for defending his choice to wear a Castro T-shirt during an August press conference and praising the late dictator for investing in Cuba's education system, as opposed to the American investment in the prison system.
"I agree with the investment in education. I also agree with the investment in free universal health care as well as the involvement in helping end apartheid in South Africa," Kaepernick said, according to CNN.
"I would hope that everybody agrees those things are good things. And trying to push the false narrative that I was a supporter of the oppressive things that he did is just not true."
Colin Kaepernick sparked controversy after wearing a Fidel Castro t-shirt to an August press conference
Kaepernick's comments didn't sit well with Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso, whose father is a Cuban exile.
"There were some feelings on my part," Alonso told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. "I didn't [see what happened in Cuba first-hand]. But I do have feelings about it. So there was some bad blood there for me with Kaepernick."
During his appearance on Fox & Friends, Tebow criticized Kaepernick for his divisive comments: "I think it's just unfortunate when you're able to hurt someone's feelings like that," he said. "I got the chance to play with Kiko, and he is a really good guy."
Tebow first shared his thoughts on Kaepernick back in September, saying he believed in what the controversial football player was kneeling for, but didn't agree with how he carried out his protest.
"When people have belief in something, or a conviction in something, trying to stand for that is a good thing," Tebow said, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. "It's all about standing for it the right way."
