Colin Kaepernick has not played professional football since 2017. But the former 49ers quarterback said this week that he’s still hoping to mount an NFL comeback.
“We’re still training, still pushing,” the 36-year-old told Sky Sports this week. “Hopefully, we just got to get one of these team owners to open up.”
Kaepernick dominated the national conversation in 2016 when he started kneeling during the pre-game national anthem. Some of his 49ers teammates joined him in the silent protest, as did several players throughout the league.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in August 2016. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”
Though the dual-threat quarterback said his protest was directed at police brutality, many onlookers believed the decision disrespected members of the military.
“I think it’s a terrible thing,” former President Donald Trump said on “The Don Monson Show” in 2016. “Maybe he should find a country that works better for him. Let him try, it won’t happen.”
The Nevada product opted out of his contract in 2017 after the 49ers said they planned to release him. No NFL team signed Kaepernick.
The former Pro Bowler reached a confidential settlement with the NFL in 2019 after alleging that team owners colluded to keep him out of the league.
“To be able to step back on the field, I think that would be a major moment, a major accomplishment for me,” Kaepernick said this week. “Also, I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.