Colin Kaepernick
Former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick appeared on the I Am Athlete podcast and confirmed that he is still looking to make an NFL comeback in 2022.
“Absolutely,” Kaepernick said. “That’s without question. To your point, what you saw out here, that’s five years of training behind the scenes, to make sure I’m ready and stay ready at the highest level. You don’t do that if you don’t have a passion, [if] you don’t believe you’re gonna find a way on that field. It’s a passion. Like, you had those dreams from when you were a kid. I mean, like, I’m gonna be an NFL player, and I’m gonna win a Super Bowl. And for me, I have unfinished business on that front. I’ve been to the Super Bowl. We were one play away. I need to finish that.”
Kaepernick would not say if he was willing to take a minimum-salary contract with a team in order to get his foot in the door.
“I know I have to find my way back in,” Kaepernick said. “So, yeah, if I have to come in as a backup, that’s fine. But that’s not where I’m staying. And when I prove that I’m a starter, I want to be able to step on the field as such. I just need that opportunity to walk through the door. . . . More than anything, we’re just looking for a chance to walk through a door. I’ll handle the rest from there. No team’s brought me in for a workout. No team has brought me in for an opportunity. I had the one meeting with Seattle in 2017. And out of that, Pete Carroll said, ‘Hey, he’s a starter, we have a starter.’ And things moved on from there. But they don’t have a starter right now.”
Kaepernick also pointed out that his message aligns with that of the NFL when it comes to off-field issues, yet doesn’t believe this should impact the way a team views him as his skills should.
“You have End Racism in the back of your end zone,” Kaepernick said. “You have Black Lives Matter on your helmet. Everything I’ve said should be in alignment with what you’re saying publicly. It’s a $16 billion business. When I first took a knee, my jersey went to No. 1. When I did the deal with Nike, their value increased by six billion dollars. Six billion. With a B. . . . So if you’re talking about the business side, it shows [it’s] beneficial. If you’re talking about the playing side, come in [and] let me compete. You can evaluate me from there. The NFL’s supposed to be a meritocracy. Come in, let me compete. If I’m not good enough, get rid of me. But let me come in and show you.”
49ers
- PFN’s Aaron Wilson reports North Carolina RB Ty Chandler is visiting the 49ers.
- NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports the 49ers will host Penn State S Jaquan Brisker for a visit.
Seahawks
- According to Fansided’s Matt Lombardo, an NFL executive says the Seahawks are “very much in the mix” to trade for Browns QB Baker Mayfield.
- This executive tells Lombardo there have been several backchannel conversations between other teams and the Browns about Mayfield with the draft approaching at the end of next week.
- PFN’s Aaron Wilson reports North Carolina RB Ty Chandler is visiting the Seahawks.
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This man has paid his dues. He stood up for what he and many of us believe. And for him to be black balled is a travesty. Theres no doubt about his talent then and now. Others have done far worse and are still playing. He deserves to be able to show he still has it. COME ON MAN!! ISNT THAT WHAT TERRY BRADSHAW SAYS???
You keep on knocking but you can’t come in. Football is a privilege that he took for granted
Are you kidding me?!! There is alot of talk if he is allowed to play again they will give up the NFL for good. He disrespected the NFL, team mates, the hard working American people’s who pay those stupid high prices for tickets, and he crapped on the American flag!! No way is he wanted back on the grid iron. Just say goodnight Mr. Disrespectful we don’t need people like you around!!!
Not all of us football fans agree with you that man took a knee to acknowledge a situation in America that absolutely should be addressed freedom of speech is not disrespect to the flag is not disrespect to Americans in fact is exactly the opposite it is what makes Us American and to bring attention to a Nationwide issue and to stand in solidarity with those affected is no way disrespectful or unbecoming I absolutely disagree with you I would love to see Colin Kaepernick in the league again even if it was just as a backup quarterback coach and I would forever be grateful if he came to Seattle I would not miss a game I’d have season tickets for years even after he was no longer a member of our team
Are you kidding me? Racism has been going on since the Dawn of times. From the Egyptian people, to the Israelites, Palestinians, Jewish slaves, Islanders all across the World being made slaves to the White man’s life, and then to the Africans taken as slaves because of the White man, the Aborigines people being made slaves themselves amongst the White people. Shit with Colin is that he thinks that he can change the World by kneeling, please Dude…… If Dr King, Malcom X, Miss Harriet Talbot, hell even JFK, and Lincoln, all of these “Notable people” trying their BEST to stamp out Racism. Colin brings too much drama to the sport and should be preaching the WORD off the field where he can make a difference as opposed to trying to do it on the Gridiron.
Colin Kaepernick should be picked up by the Lions.. He’s hungry and motivated and that’s the spark they need especially while in the rebuilding stage.. At least bring him in on minimum contract as a backup.. Just a thought ..