Controversial quarterback Colin Kaepernick received some unexpected support Saturday in Brooklyn.
A local lawmaker was joined by 100 law enforcement officers, who took a stand in solidarity with Kaepernick.
"We support Kap! We support Kap!" the officers chanted, their fists raised in the air.
"All of the people behind me risk their lives, so to speak, to protect folks, and they are standing with Kaepernick because they understand how important it is to push back on the structure," City Councilman Jumaane Williams of Brooklyn said, with the officers standing behind him.
Kaepernick has been criticized for putting politics on the NFL playing field by sitting and kneeling during the national anthem before his games with the San Francisco 49ers last year. He was protesting police brutality.
No team has signed the now-free agent. Several players say teams are colluding to keep Kaepernick out of the NFL.
Some people have called Kaepernick's protests "un-American," but Saturday's speakers thought otherwise, including retired NYPD detective and famed whistleblower Frank Serpico.
"I'm here to support my brothers and sisters and anyone who has the courage to stand up against injustice and oppression anywhere in this country," Serpico said.
"The way he's being railroaded for speaking the obvious truth, this is not what America was founded on," NYPD Sergeant Edwin Raymond said at the rally. "Some may argue that what he's doing is more American, because this country was actually founded on challenging injustice.
"As members of law enforcement, we can confirm that the issues that he is saying exist in policing and throughout the criminal justice system."
Raymond is part of a group of officers that has said the NYPD needs to stop using quotas for arrests in minority communities.