Tennis star Serena Williams says 'every human' should be grateful for NFL national anthem protests

Tennis star Serena Williams believes everyone should feel “completely grateful” for the NFL protests championed by Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, who both played for the San Francisco 49ers.

Kaepernick and Reid were among the attendees at Williams'match at the U.S. Open on Friday. When the two were introduced and appeared on a jumbo screen at the match, they received a loud standing ovation, the Associated Press reported. The two former NFL players are currently out of the league.

What did she say?

According to the Associated Press, Williams said after the match:

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. 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.

Both players are battling the NFL after things went sour following their controversial protests. An arbitrator is sending Kaepernick’s grievance with the NFL to trial, according to the report. A similar grievance is pending for Reid, an unsigned safety. He played with Kaepernick in San Francisco and joined in the protests.

How did all of this start?

Two seasons ago, Kaepernick, a quarterback, began a protest that carried throughout the NFL. Players began kneeling during the national anthem in protest of what they call police brutality and racial inequality. The controversial protests led President Donald Trump to urge the league to suspend players who participate.

During the match, Serena defeated her sister Venus to secure a third-round victory.

In other comments, Serena said that after God, she owes everything to her sister. She also said there is more to life than tennis, according to reports.

Kaepernick tweeted a photo of his niece with Serena after the match and wrote, “Lani lost it when Serena surprised her after the match!!! Thank you so much Serena !!!”