Colin Kaepernick’s crusade to get signed as an NFL quarterback gained an unlikely ally Tuesday evening — Ben Shapiro.
Mr. Shapiro, one of America’s most prominent conservative commentators, retweeted a post by Mr. Kaepernick that included video of himself throwing to receivers.
“Honestly, I would love to see someone sign him and start him. Do it,” Mr. Shapiro said.
Honestly, I would love to see someone sign him and start him. Do it. https://t.co/VAR5uZhxfr
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) March 16, 2022
Mr. Kaepernick started the trend of football players and other pro athletes kneeling during the national anthem, but hasn’t been on an NFL field since 2016.
No team has been willing to sign the former Super Bowl starter since, at least in part because he had become a replacement-level starter at the time and now has five-plus years of rust on his body.
Mr. Shapiro’s rationale was at least partially back-handed, though, saying it would get a bad team good press and a high draft pick.
“Seriously, if you’re the Lions, you sign him and start him, the entire media fetes you for your bravery, you earn the eyeballs of a nation that couldn’t care less about you, and you simultaneously get to tank for a first round pick,” he wrote.
In the other scenario, signing Mr. Kaepernick all upside too, Mr. Shapiro argued.
“Or alternatively, he shocks everyone and is good, and it’s the most incredible story in sports. There is essentially no business downside to signing him,” he said.
Mr. Kaepernick’s supporters have blamed his remaining unsigned for five years on collusion among NFL owners.
SEE ALSO: Colin Kaepernick reaches out to Pete Carroll, Seahawks
He had a tryout scheduled in 2018 with the Seattle Seahawks, but it fell through, reportedly because he refused to give the team assurances on the anthem protests.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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