Diggs on backlash from fans over activism: ‘You may be the problem as well’

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 24: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown in the second quarter of the game agains the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 24: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown in the second quarter of the game agains the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

The current Minnesota Vikings wide receiver spoke about the recent activism around the NFL during an radio interview on Monday.

Whether people like it or not, the peaceful protests and expressions of team unity on display during Sunday’s slate of NFL games were impossible to ignore.

Not every team went about sending their message in the same way. Some remained in the locker room during the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner”, while others stood with their arms locked together with teammates and coaches as the national anthem was performed.

The Minnesota Vikings were among those teams that opted to stand and lock arms during the national anthem this week. Team owners, Zygi and Mark Wilf, and general manager Rick Spielman even came down onto the field to stand together with the rest of the Minnesota players and coaches.

Despite the efforts by the teams around the league to make a positive impact with their activism on Sunday, some fans were still turned off by what went on. A bunch of people have even posted videos on social media of themselves burning the gear of their favorite team and declaring that they are done with the NFL.

So what do the players think about these reactions from the fans?

Well during an interview with The Rich Eisen Show on Monday, Vikings star wide receiver Stefon Diggs was asked if he was concerned at all about people no longer being fans of his team or the league due to the activism that is currently going on around the NFL.

"“I wouldn’t necessarily be concerned. I would more so say it’s unfortunate, because every man has a right to do what he believes. And if he wants to take a knee, (or) do anything for that matter, he should do so.If a person is not doing anything malicious or doing anything to hurt anybody and you take an offense to it, I kind of feel like you may be the problem as well. Because the people who are taking action, just wanting things to be different, all they’re asking for is change. Minnesota Vikings The Viking Age 0d - 6 biggest draft steals in Minnesota Vikings history More headlines around FanSided: 1d - Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North 1d - Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take 1d - 6 Vikings who (maybe) won't make the 53-man roster in 2023 2d - Which teams could be drafting a quarterback next year? 2d - Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022 More News at The Viking Age And if you’re going against change, as far as wanting something right or wanting something to be done, I kind of view it as you might be a part of the problem as well.”"

Diggs has been a bit more open and vocal in 2017 than he has in year’s past. He is beginning to emerge as a prominent leader in Minnesota’s locker room and statements like this one he made on Monday are why.

The receiver knows that it is impossible to please everyone, but he also just wants people to fully understand why teams are currently protesting during the national anthem.

If people want to make a judgement after they are given an explanation for the activism, then so be it. People have the right to disagree with another’s opinion just like people have the right to protest as well.

Next: Ups and downs from the Vikings' Week 3 win

But for those who are thinking about burning their Vikings jerseys, please listen to some of the players from Minnesota’s very own roster, like Diggs, explain their reasoning for activism before you go and start an unnecessary fire.

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