In a somewhat rare move, CNN has hired an active NFL player to serve as a regular contributor who will comment on national affairs, including issues related to racism and social justice.
Malcolm Jenkins, who now plays for the Saints but was a three-time Pro Bowler in six years with the Eagles and helped the team win its first Super Bowl in 2018, is expected to contribute to various CNN studio programs and may pen op-eds for the news organization, as he has done in the past for outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Proud to join the @CNN family today as a regular contributor. Looking forward to being heard. #blacklivesmatter #MoreThanAnAthlete https://t.co/oizjMBy7s6
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) June 15, 2020
“Now more than ever, the public needs to be educated on the roles of elected positions of power, such as the District Attorney, Police Chief or City Council and how to hold those individuals accountable, especially through their voice and their vote,” the 32-year-old defensive back said in a statement. “In an important election year, I’m eager to join the CNN family and share my perspective as a regular contributor.”
Jenkins is actually in his second stint with New Orleans, the organization that selected him in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. Though he has yet to play a game for the Saints this time around, Jenkins has already made headlines in New Orleans, specifically for criticizing quarterback Drew Brees for his comments about kneeling during the national anthem.
Brees apologized multiple times for his comments and several teammates, including Jenkins, have accepted that apology.
“Honestly, if at this point in time in 2020 people don’t understand what the protests [are] about then they are blatantly trying to ignore it,” Jenkins said. “So I try not to waste my time talking about the anthem … because it’s a distraction from the actual issues that are plaguing our black and brown communities, the things we need to get fixed.”
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