Colin Kaepernick is proving again that any publicity is good publicity.
In the couple of weeks since the San Francisco 49ers quarterback created a national firestorm by refusing to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner,” his official jersey has become the biggest seller on the team.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday that the Kaepernick jersey had been only the 20th-most popular purchase on the team’s official merchandise site.
“Maybe all those people are buying his jersey so they can burn them in a counter-protest. Hard to say,” Chronicle reporter Katie Dowd wrote.
The previous unpopularity of the Kaepernick jersey isn’t surprising. After leading the 49ers to the 2013 Super Bowl as a mid-season replacement quarterback, and revolutionizing the NFL’s use of “read-option” offenses, Kaepernick had seen his numbers and playing time decline in the past couple of years.
This season, he is slated to back up starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
But the NFL will be raking in the money, as Kaepernick jerseys are no longer the clearance items typical for out-of-favor players.
“Kaepernick jerseys were on clearance at the end of last season, and now they’re back at full-price: $99.99,” the Chronicle wrote.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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