You might have heard Colin Kaepernick is FINALLY getting an NFL tryout today. While it’s great to finally see some traction in the situation, it seems less than genuine to put it nicely.
The NFL made the surprise announcement that Kaepernick will hold a workout in Atlanta in front of all 32 NFL teams. The league sent a memo to all of the teams making them aware of today’s private workout. Teams scrambled to decide if they wanted to attend and who was even available to send.
As of today, 24 teams have committed to attending the workout. There will also be a chance to interview the free agent quarterback. Kaepernick will bring his own receivers to throw with after the league refused to tell him which receivers will be available. Just the NFL treating Kaepernick fairly and like every other quarterback trying out, right?
Kaepernick tweeted that he was “can’t wait” to speak with NFL executives and has been in NFL shape for three years now.
None other than Shawn Jay-Z Carter pushed for the workout. After partnering with the NFL earlier this year on entertainment and social justice issues, Carter was allegedly pressuring Roger Goodell to make the workout happen. According to radio host Dan Patrick, Carter said he took a “reputational bullet” partnering with the league. In return, they needed to make this happen. So this workout is just to appease Beyonce’s husband to stay in business with Goodell and the league.
Doesn’t it seem strange that after three years of Kaepernick being unemployed by the league, Roger Goodell and the league decide now is a good time for a tryout? Almost all free agents tryout for teams during the week while the team is holding practice. This allows the entire coaching staff to present. Compared to on a Saturday when most members of the staff are traveling and preparing for the next day’s game. Right in the middle of the season and with less than a week notice for teams who already have scouting scheduled on Saturday.
Why can’t this workout be treated like every other free agent trying out for a roster spot? Why is the LEAGUE considering him different than any other player trying to make a team?
Carolina Panthers safety and strong Colin Kaepernick supporter Eric Reid called the workout a “PR stunt”. Kap’s former teammate, said it sounded suspicious. Speaking to the media in front of his locker, he continued, “What decision-makers are going to be able to attend a workout? The other strange thing, I saw there was a report other teams were interested in Colin but they reached out to the league about it. That’s strange.”
Reid filed a grievance alongside Kap against the league. In it, they alleged collusion amongst the teams to keep them out of the league. The grievances were settled in February 2018, Reid signed with the Panthers in September that year and in this past offseason received a three year deal. Reid continues to kneel during the national anthem before games.
Since 2016, Colin Kaepernick’s life has become bigger than football. He is a symbol of someone using their platform to protest against a truly ugly problem in the United States. He is the face of a movement that stirs up anger and passion on both sides of the argument.
One thing can be said about Kaepernick. He is still willing to go through with the workout despite the NFL throwing all types of detours at him. He must be committed to playing the game of football again.
[…] been almost a month since Colin Kaepernick worked out in front of NFL scouts. Since then, teams have moved on and chosen not to call him for a real […]