USA TODAY International Edition
Kaepernick deserves so much better
Just when you thought Colin Kaepernick’s NFL career was history, in more ways than one, came this blast of hope Tuesday that the exiled quarterback might play again.
Or better yet, maybe Kaepernick will even dare to take a knee again during the national anthem.
It was never about football. Thirdgraders will tell you that, just like some die- hard fans whose injury- ravaged team had to call some quarterback off the couch or out of the high school gym to suit up.
I suspect this Saturday’s all- NFLcomers- welcomed workout in Atlanta was arranged by Roger & Co. to prove to the public that Kaepernick, the quarterback with a Super Bowl appearance and collusion settlement on his resume, wasn’t blackballed after all.
What, was this a Jay- Z- influenced, “We’ve moved beyond the kneeling” social justice initiative?
Either way, hopefully this is a signal that NFL decision- makers have moved beyond the kneeling as a reason for shutting Kaepernick out of the league.
This is an unprecedented move for the NFL to set up a showcase for one player.
Kaepernick, though, is not just one player. He’s the one who still has some major credibility in the African American community for sacrificing his career for a noble cause – detesting police killings of unarmed African Americans and other social injustices.
Now Kaepernick’s case has shocked the NFL again – albeit with a fresh twist.
Late Tuesday, two teams reached by USA TODAY Sports indicated that they had yet to determine whether to send a representative to the workout, pending internal discussions Wednesday. It’s fluid.
No, they didn’t see this coming, either.
It’s weird. Any team that wanted to see whether Kaepernick can still sling it or hear about his dedication to football could have brought him in way before now.
Still, the workout is a good thing. And better late than never, even if it’s tacitly acknowledging that the man was screwed royally – as we’ve known all along.
At least Kaepernick, 32, gets to show off his arm and tell the NFL world in his own words, if he chooses, whether he’s still down with kneeling and protests.
No, relinquishing his right to protest as an American citizen as a condition of playing in the NFL is not what needs to happen here. In fact, it shouldn’t even be part of the conversation as NFL teams weigh options with the quarterback. Teams need to follow the example of the Panthers from 2018, when they signed safety Eric Reid, who took a knee alongside of Kaepernick with the 49ers.
The Panthers never asked Reid if he intended to take a knee. He did. And the world didn’t stop. The fans didn’t stop coming. And he still needs to make tackles and cover like safeties are supposed to.
Yet knowing how stuff happens in the NFL, it’s easy to believe that Kaepernick’s social status will still be a factor for some teams. Until proved otherwise. Michael Bennett, the defensive end recently obtained by the Cowboys, told The Fort Worth Star- Telegram that he stood for the anthem at Jerry World because his new teammates asked him.
If Kaepernick can zip a 30- yard out Saturday and still doesn’t ultimately wind up with a job, the NFL will look even worse. Especially as teams continue to lose quarterbacks.
It should not have come to this. Kaepernick should be on a team. You can never have enough talent when you’re trying to win. Backup quarterbacks have led a team to Super Bowl glory ( Nick Foles), kept a team in first place ( Teddy Bridgewater) or stepped in ( Jacoby Brissett) when the franchise quarterback called it quits.
Kaepernick’s reaction on Twitter was a bit revealing. He mentioned being eager to see the “head coaches and GMs.” That was positive enough, contrasting the rumblings after his exile began that he stiff- armed so many in league circles who sought to lend support.
But 24 teams have games Sunday. It’s going to be tough for the head coaches to break away.
The fact that Kaepernick – who we’ve rarely heard directly from over the past three years regarding his NFL pursuits – tweeted in his own words broke some other kind of ice. Generally, he’s been a re- tweeter, passing on inspirational quotes, posts from others regarding his saga or intriguing news items. It was refreshing for him to drop a few characters with his own thoughts.
Regardless of what happens from here, his place in history is secure. Kaepernick will always be remembered as an impact player for his role in raising awareness and sparking national conversation.
It’s just a shame that it has come to this.
But at least now the NFL is willing to go out on a limb for him – as it should have done all along.