Former Yankees great David Wells took aim at former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick as he doubled down on his criticism of Nike.
The former pitcher, 60, joined Derek Jeter and some other members of the 1998 World Champion New York Yankees at Old Timers’ Day in the Bronx last month, where he complained about everything from “woke” culture to the club’s current struggle.
Wells claimed that Nike is awake, baseball players are being visited and that everyone should carry a gun.
But when asked if he still gets backlash for his comments during an appearance on ‘Don’t @ Me’ with Dan Dakich Speaking on the OutKick Network this week, Wells said: ‘No, not really, I just go on social media from time to time, and it just depends on my mood.
‘If I’m feeling a bit pissed off, I’ll go over there and start talking some ***, but you know what? These are my beliefs. I don’t believe in all these companies that play sports and try to create a vigilante atmosphere, especially with Nike, with all their slave labor they do over there in China.’
Former Yankees great David Wells doubled down on his criticism of ‘woke’ Nike
The former pitcher also took aim at former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick (right)
After another dig at Nike, Wells slammed former signal caller Kaepernick, who sparked nationwide protests when he took a knee during the national anthem in 2017.
He said he saw former NBA player Enes Freedom last weekend at Frank Siller’s T2T charity golf outing at Liberty National Golf Course.
“He says it well: ‘You can’t play this woke stuff and bring it into sports and then have everybody do it,'” Wells said.
“That’s why when (Colin) Kaepernick took the knee, it’s a little disrespectful to me because I’m a patriot. I support our military. I come from a military town in San Diego.
‘You can’t do such things. Your beliefs are your beliefs. I have no problem with that. But don’t go on national TV and take a knee for what it is. It proves nothing in my mind. It proves that you are an idiot and that you stand up for a cause.
“When the national anthem is there, you’re in America, you do the national anthem, you do the pledge of allegiance. That’s what you do. That’s what we were taught in primary school. Put your hand over your heart and say the Pledge of Allegiance.’
He went on to claim that Kaepernick’s protests were not fair to the younger generation as he encouraged athletes to do their ‘due diligence’ before deciding what to protest, but insisted that it was not against the country s flag and army should not be.
Wells also insisted that he would be as outspoken as he is today if he were still an active player in MLB.
The 60-year-old claimed that Kaepernick’s protests were not fair to the young generation
“Absolutely, guaranteed contracts are there for a reason,” Wells said.
“If you get a guaranteed contract and you make 5-10-40 million a year, I would talk like no other. What are they going to do? If they trade you or release you, you get that money.’
The former Yankee acknowledged that everyone has the right to protest, but insisted that a line must be drawn between taking a stand at a sporting event and taking your own time.
“You have the right — that’s what our First Amendment is for — to speak your mind. You do have to watch what you say from time to time, but if you feel strongly about something, go ahead and support it. If your organization wants to criticize you, there are other organizations,’ Wells said.
“All these guys protesting, they’re standing up for what they believe in, but they’re not doing it in sports. Keep it aside. Go on Twitter, but don’t do it on the pitch where everyone can see it.’
Wells also insisted that he would be just as outspoken if he were still an active player in MLB
Wells began his career as a middle starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers, but began to enjoy some success in 1995 when he earned his first of three All-Star nods. He would eventually be traded to Cincinnati that season before joining Baltimore as a free agent in 1996 and then, more famously, the New York Yankees in 1997.
He pitched a perfect game for the Yankees in 1998 en route to his second World Series title.
But before the next season, Wells would be sent back to Toronto in a deal for Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.
Wells wasn’t done though, being named to the 2000 AL All-Star team before returning to the Yankees and 2002, finally finishing his career in 2007 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.