Accepting rights award, Kaepernick decries 'lawful lynching'

Amnesty International gave former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick its Ambassador of Conscience Award on Saturday for his kneeling protest of racial injustice that launched a sports movement and might have cost him his job.

Onetime San Francisco 49ers teammate Eric Reid presented Kaepernick with the award during a ceremony in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 file photo, a Woodrow Wilson High School football player stands while some of his teammates kneel during the national anthem before their game against Highland High School at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, N.J. Colin Kaepernick started the NFL anthem movement when he was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (Yong Kim/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick speeches after receiving the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2017, file photo, Colin Kaepernick attends the 2017 ACLU SoCal's Bill of Rights Dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Human rights organization Amnesty International has honored former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick with its Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018, lauding his peaceful protests against racial inequality. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

In his acceptance speech, the award-winner described police killings of African Americans and Latinos in the United States as lawful lynchings.

"Racialized oppression and dehumanization is woven into the very fabric of our nation — the effects of which can be seen in the lawful lynching of black and brown people by the police, and the mass incarceration of black and brown lives in the prison industrial complex," Kaepernick said.

Kaepernick first took a knee during the pre-game playing of the American national anthem when he was with the 49ers in 2016 to protest police brutality.

"How can you stand for the national anthem of a nation that preaches and propagates, 'freedom and justice for all,' that is so unjust to so many of the people living there?" he said at Saturday's award ceremony.

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick, left, receives the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 from Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick, left, talks to Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty after receiving the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick leaves after receiving the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Other players joined his protest in the 2016 season, drawing the ire of President Donald Trump, who called for team owners to fire such players.

In response to the player demonstrations, the NFL agreed to commit $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a plan.

Kaepernick wasn't signed for the 2017 season following his release in San Francisco.

Reid, a safety who is now a free agent, continued Kaepernick's protests by kneeling during the anthem last season. Reid has said he will take a different approach in 2018.

Kaepernick paid tribute to his friend for his own role in the protest movement.

"Eric introducing me for this prestigious award brings me great joy," Kaepernick said. "But I am also pained by the fact that his taking a knee, and demonstrating courage to protect the rights of black and brown people in America, has also led to his ostracization from the NFL when he is widely recognized as one of the best competitors in the game and in the prime of his career."

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick poses with guests after receiving the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick poses with guests after receiving the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick poses with guests after receiving the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Amnesty hands its award each year to a person or organization, "dedicated to fighting injustice and using their talents to inspire others."

Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty called Kaepernick "an athlete who is now widely recognized for his activism because of his refusal to ignore or accept racial discrimination."

Previous recipients of the award include anti-Apartheid campaigner and South African President Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who campaigned for girls' right to education even after surviving being shot by Taliban militants.

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick, center, applauds for musicians prior to receiving the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick receives the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 from Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty, right, in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Eric Reid speeches for his friend and colleague Colin Kaepernick who was awarded the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

"In truth, this is an award that I share with all of the countless people throughout the world combating the human rights violations of police officers, and their uses of oppressive and excessive force," Kaepernick said.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The NFL's investigation of the Atlanta Falcons' possible violation of tampering policies before signing quarterback Kirk Cousins won't conclude before this week's NFL draft.

For Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, that means the team won't lose any draft picks this year as he looks to build around Cousins.

“The league has been very communicative with us and throughout the whole process,” Fontenot said Tuesday when previewing the draft.

“I really appreciate them. We’ve obviously cooperated and provided them all the information. Again, not really any update from our end. We’ll just continue to cooperate and control what you can control as we get ready for this draft. We’re excited moving forward.”

The Falcons have the No. 8 overall pick in the first round on Thursday night. Before signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed, Atlanta had been considered a top candidate to pursue a quarterback in the first round.

The Falcons signed Cousins, the former Minnesota quarterback, on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period. The agreement was reached so quickly after teams were allowed to begin negotiating with free agents, there were questions as to whether the Falcons violated tampering policies.

Teams are permitted to talk directly with agents during the 52-hour negotiating window. Teams can’t speak to the player unless he has no agent and represents himself.

When discussing his decision to sign with Atlanta, Cousins appeared to indicate he had been in communication with team officials one day before it was allowed.

When asked Tuesday if he believed the team had followed the rules in the negotiations with Cousins, Fontenot said “Again, it’s not something we can talk about as long as it’s under review. … We’ve been cooperative with the league and the way they’ve communicated with us. We appreciate the process they’ve gone through."

Cousins will be 36 when the 2024 season opens. He is returning from a torn right Achilles tendon that ended his 2023 season after eight games. Fontenot said Cousins has been on the field for the team's offseason work.

This is the third consecutive year the Falcons have had the No. 8 overall draft pick. They selected running back Bijan Robinson last year and wide receiver Drake London in 2022 with the No. 8 picks after taking tight end Kyle Pitts No. 4 overall in 2021.

The Falcons have eight picks in this year's draft, including two in the third round and two in the sixth round. The team could focus on defense at the top of the draft and could address a pressing need by selecting an edge rusher such as Alabama’s Dallas Turner in the first round.

The Falcons ranked close to the middle of the NFL team leaders with 42 sacks in 2023. It was a dramatic jump from 2022, when they had only 21 and 2021, when they were last with 18. Atlanta hasn’t had a player with as many as 10 sacks since 2016, when Vic Beasley had 15 1/2.

Veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who shared the team lead with 6 1/2 sacks, may retire.

“We won't close any doors,” said Fontenot of Campbell playing in 2024.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

FILE - Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. The NFL's investigation of the Atlanta Falcons' possible violation of tampering policies before signing quarterback Kirk Cousins won't conclude before this week's NFL draft. For Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, that means the team won't lose any draft pick this year as he looks to build around Cousins. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)