Ten years after kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick says the NFL is still “actively blackballing” him. Kaepernick told NBC News that no team has offered him a workout or contract since he became a free agent in 2017, despite his record‑setting playoff performance and Super Bowl appearance.
Background and grievance
Kaepernick and teammate Eric Reid filed a collusion grievance against the league in October 2017, alleging owners conspired to keep them out of the NFL. The two settled the case on February 15, 2019, receiving less than $10 million combined.
Since then, Kaepernick has claimed that coaches and general managers who expressed interest in him were blocked by higher‑level officials. He says former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and other NFL figures discussed signing him, but the talks were shut down.
Attempts at a workout
In November 2019 the league arranged a workout for Kaepernick, which he cancelled over concerns a waiver would waive his employment rights. He later organized his own workout at Charles Drew High School in Riverdale, Georgia, where representatives from seven teams – the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, 49ers, Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions – observed. The Buffalo Bills were also reported to have sent a representative.
In 2022 the Las Vegas Raiders held a workout that former NFL star Warren Sapp described as a “disaster” and “one of the worst workouts ever.”
Ongoing activism and recognition
Kaepernick continues to train daily, hoping for another NFL opportunity, while also running several business ventures and charitable projects. He will receive the Muhammad Ali Center’s Humanitarian of the Year Award on November 7 for his work against racial injustice and support for underserved communities.
The NFL points to its Inspire Change fund, expanded Rooney Rule and partnership with the Players Coalition as evidence of progress, but Kaepernick says those actions have not “materially changed” the league’s treatment of players who speak out.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
