The internet is abuzz with talk about Colin Kaepernick again, as the 2019-2020 NFL season gears up. Kaepernick, recently in the news last month for influencing Nike to pull their “Betsy Ross Flag” shoes after claiming they were offensive, is still dreaming of playing in the big leagues.
SEE TWEET FROM @WSJ BELOW:
Nike is yanking a sneaker featuring the “Betsy Ross flag” after Colin Kaepernick said he and others consider the symbol to be offensive https://t.co/eKVtPM6oTA
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 1, 2019
In a tweet from a few weeks ago on his official page, he posted about how he is staying ready just in case.
According to his tweet, he has been waiting 3 years and is still working out and staying fit. This hiatus, that no one can say for sure is permanent, was likely due to the previous and even bigger controversy he caused when kneeling during the national anthem as a form of social justice protest, causing some other NFL players to follow suit. This happened during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, shortly before President Trump was elected.
SEE TWEET FROM @kaepernick7 BELOW:
5am. 5 days a week. For 3 years. Still Ready. pic.twitter.com/AGczejA1rM
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 7, 2019
Well, Twitter is abuzz today and in recent days more than ever with hopes, rumors, and calls for Kaepernick to get a job with the NFL again. An NFL player even went to bat for him recently as well. In a Sports Illustrated story from the 23rd, Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid hinted that Kaepernick might make a good replacement for Cam Newton if Cam is sidelined due to injury.
Verified Twitter user and Sports columnist at The Charlotte Observer Scott Fowler tweeted:
“Eric Reid says IF Cam is hurt badly, Kaepernick could and should definitely “come in and help us.” Again, he stressed the IF and said he hoped Cam was fine.”
SEE TWEET FROM @scott_fowler BELOW:
Eric Reid says IF Cam is hurt badly, Kaepernick could and should definitely “come in and help us.” Again, he stressed the IF and said he hoped Cam was fine.
— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) August 23, 2019
Eric Reid must really be a fan of Kaepernick considering that, according to the Panther’s Depth Chart, if Newton were to be sidelined, he is backed up by Kyle Allen, Will Grier, and Taylor Heinicke, in that order.
Sports Illustrated reported:
Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season, when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality. In 2017, he opted out of his 49ers contract in March and later filed a grievance with Reid against the NFL for collusion. The two sides reached an agreement on a settlement in February 2019.
Heavy.com reported:
Andrew Luck has informed the Colts that he plans to retire from the NFL causing some fans to wonder if Indianapolis could pursue former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Jacoby Brissett is now the Colts projected starting quarterback, but the position is now thin with their franchise quarterback calling it quits.
Kaepernick implied he would like to have an opportunity to play football again via an August 7th tweet. Kaepernick posted a workout video noting he has been working out five days a week for three years. Kaepernick has not played an NFL game since 2016.
Some Twitter users have been voicing their opinions as can be seen in some of the tweets shown below. Many seem to be hinting that the Indianapolis Colts should pick him up as well.
SEE TWEETS BELOW:
Colts need to sign Kaepernick
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) August 25, 2019
The Colts need to sign Colin Kaepernick. @Kaepernick7 pic.twitter.com/pinBzVUTC3
— Sports Notes? (@TheSportsNotes) August 25, 2019
Hey colts. Your QB retired. COLIN KAEPERNICK. HE IS A QB. HES BEEN TO A SUPERBOWL. HES BETTER THAN YOUR CURRENT REPLACEMENT. HE IS YOUR FATHER
— Jose Huerta (@JozayEff) August 25, 2019
Sad to see Andrew Luck retire would like the Colts to get Kaepernick..ty
— Ty Gaston (@TyGastonSports) August 25, 2019
Some in the media and other fans have also brought up how they think Jay-Z looking at a partnership with the NFL is seen as throwing Kaepernick under the bus unless he “gets a seat at the table” as well. In an opinion piece by NPR, they likened the whole thing to a ‘tragic blaxploitation flick’ playing out.
Jay-Z has stated on the Kaepernick issue that he thinks we’re past kneeling and that it’s time for action.
From NPR:
To pimp or be pimped, that’s the eternal question — and from the cheap seats, it’s hard to tell which role Jay-Z has cast for himself. When it comes to espousing the ideals of free market enterprise, there is no bigger cheerleader in hip-hop than the rapper born Shawn Carter, who has come a long way from Brooklyn’s Marcy projects. But when the oppressed find themselves sitting in the seat of their oppressors after two decades of musical chairs, that’s no anomaly: It’s the system replicating itself as designed. For his part, Jay-Z helped raise a whole generation of fans on a don’t-hate-the-playa-hate-the-game ethos of black capitalism that doesn’t even begin to account for how rooted the system is in white supremacy and inequality. Can’t knock his hustle, but the dangerous thing about Jay’s latest deal is that it comes at the cost of a struggle already in progress. Whatever his intention, he’s only succeeded so far in further polarizing the movement that made Colin Kaepernick a modern-day Muhammad Ali.
It is yet to be seen if any of the buzz will manifest into a signing, or if Colin Kaepernick is set to sit out yet another NFL season. What are your thoughts?
