OPINION:
Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback known these days more for his on-field displays of anti-Americanism than for his tossing skills, now says he’s ready to play.
Well, isn’t that special. No apology? No play. That’s what I say, anyway.
Kaepernick, who opted out of his San Francisco 49ers’ contract in March, has spent the months in between unsigned, unaffiliated, un-picked-up by any team. But he’s stayed busy.
He’s been involved in the social justice campaign he began on the field last season, taking a knee during the playing of the National Anthem to show solidarity with minorities around the nation who feel they’ve been targeted by police.
The NAACP recently rallied behind his cause, protesting outside NFL headquarters in New York. Linda Sarsour — yes, that pro-sharia, anti-America Linda Sarsour — spoke in Kaepernick’s favor. And “Boycott the NFL” began to make waves through the usual civil rights’ circles.
But now Kaepernick’s ready to play. And the Cincinnati Bengals are rumored to be considering him for a spot.
“Great conversation with Colin Kaepernick yesterday,” tweeted Cris Carter, a “First Things First” cohost. “He’s absolutely in football shape, ready for a call … if it ever comes.”
Even New England’s Tom Brady, a real quarterback, not social justice climber like Kaepernick, said the guy should be given another chance.
“I’ve always watched him and admired him, the way he’s played he was a great young quarterback,” Brady said in a recent television interview reported by Bleacher Report. “He came to our stadium and beat us and took his team to the Super Bowl. He accomplished a lot in the pros as a player. And he’s certainly qualified and I hope he gets a shot.”
Well, that’s Brady’s opinion — but respectfully, that’s why he’s called Tom Terrific. He’s super nice.
But Kaepernick?
He’s been on a snowflake roll of late, seeing his social activism as more important than his job — the job he’s supposedly paid to do on the field. The snowflakey aspect of his public displays of non-patriotism is this: Kaepernick is free to express his political opinions, wherever and however he chooses.
But expecting those displays to come without accountability is a major mistake. Kaepernick has his right to free speech.
But so do fans. So do team owners. So do Americans who think ultra-wealthy elites ought not pretend to be down with the downtrodden and slap the very people who pay their high-class salaries with shows of silly anti-patriotism. And apparently, they’ve spoken. It’s never smart to bite the hands that feed.
Kaepernick doesn’t have to apologize to fans for his views. But if he truly even wants to play again, he should apologize for exploiting his football field platform for personal political gain. After all, fans don’t go to games to watch the national anthem and their country get slapped.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.