Colin Kaepernick: from social protest to the bench

The name of Colin Kaepernick is already very popular in the United States. Much more now with his relevance on the social scene than when the quarterback played in the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). However, the presence of Kaepernick still attracts the attention of some clubs within the circuit.

However, it must be said, yes, that a return of the former passer from the bay to the NFL will not be an easy task. After a 2018, 19 and 20 where he barely stepped on grass it is difficult to understand the interest of teams for him, especially since his historical numbers are not the best, he has 59.8% of complete passes, the third-worst among the 32 quarterbacks of starting field that made up the league in 2019.

What seems to give Colin the plus is his mobility in sports and his influence to sell T-shirts in the sociocultural. Hiring him is ensuring a good presence of the public at home games, even if it is to boo him.

After the murder of George Floyd in the United States, weeks ago, they remembered Kaepernick's protest, when he knelt during the hymn ceremony throughout the 2016 season in order to raise awareness about police brutality and racial inequality.

But … what team would he play with?

If we are guided by how he moves before passing the ball, Colin could fit into teams with less static offenses like the Buffalo Bills of Tennessee.

It remains to be seen which is the club that finally invites Kaepernick to the training camp that starts in late July to analyze how he could be used in that team and how he can, in turn, take advantage of it.

Another detail, not less, is that the NFL admitted that it was a mistake not to support the players who carried out this type of performance, which perhaps motivated Kaepernick to place himself again in the fray. "We were wrong not to listen to NFL players before and we encourage everyone to peacefully voice their protest," said Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, after the massive protests over the Floyd killing, Marca said.

Kaepernick has been aware and in his eagerness to return he has resumed his training routine, going to both the gym and the playing field. After all, his experience is also a plus, no one can forget that in 2016 he played a Super Bowl with the 49ers against the Baltimore Ravens. 

As TMZ Sports revealed and Marca reiterated, the former quarterback Warren Moon indicated that Kaepernick is a possibility for Seattle. "I think he would fit well. I think the Seahawks' style of play matches what he does and I think it would be good for both of them if he wanted to return," but not before warning that he should put the social fight in the background.

Goodbye to ownership

If you talk about ownership, it will be quite complex for Kaepernick, especially considering that during the winter one of the largest quarterback markets in history was registered, leaving even names like Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Case Keenum, Nick Foles , Joe Flacco, Jacoby Brissett, and Andy Dalton as alternates.

Among the teams struggling or weak with their starting quarterbacks are the Jacksonville Jaguars (Gardner Minshew), Oakland Raiders (Derek Carr), New England Patriots (Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer), Cleveland Browns (Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum), Washington Redskins (Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen) and Chicago Bears (Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles).

Another alternative for the former 49ers is to enter into a succession plan for a veteran quarterback, and in that category we must mention Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Bucs), Philip Rivers (Indianapolis Colts), Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers), Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), with Green Bay being the only one  to have a strong succession plan.

Also read: The internal discussion between NBA players that could cancel the season

Chain of protests

Naiz from Spain showed a chronology of Kaepernick's protests since that August 26, 2016, when he sat on the bench while the American anthem was playing before a preseason game.

Back then, he declared, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses blacks and people of color," reflected Naiz.

Subsequently, on September 1, 2016, Kaepernick changed the method to kneel during the anthem in the prelude to an engagement against the San Diego Chargers. On that occasion, his stance was backed by teammate Eric Reid.

September 12, 2016: On the first weekend of the NFL season, Kaepernick and Reid kneel again during the anthem. Teammates Antoine Bethea and Eli Harold show Black Power hand signs, as do two members of the Los Angeles Rams' opposing team.

As a result, several other NFL players carry out similar protests throughout the United States. Trump pointed to that as disrespect and contempt for the United States.

Shortly thereafter, on September 21 of that same year, Kaepernick revealed that he had received death threats for refusing to remain standing while the hymn was playing.

Several months later, with the season over, the Kaepernick agent assures NFL teams that he would cancel the quarterback's contract with the 49ers. In unison, Trump requests the expulsion of all those players who copy the model of protest.

We come to May 23, 2018. The NFL introduces a rule that teams will be fined if their players kneel while the United States anthem plays.