This past Saturday, the NFL held a tryout for disgruntled former quarterback Colin Kaepernick. It represented the first opportunity for Kaepernick to display his talent since he last played an NFL game in 2016.
The workout was originally set to take place at the Atlanta Falcons’ practice facility. But on the morning of workout, Kaepernick called an audible and chose to move it to a local high school.
Apparently, the switch occurred because Kaepernick’s “camp” wanted transparency. I have no idea why he needs a “camp,” but that’s another story. They didn’t like that the NFL scheduled a private workout. They wanted media to be in attendance.
After the workout, Kaepernick stepped in front of the media all puffy-chested. He called out the league like a boxer looking to pick a fight.
“I’ve been ready for three years,” Kaepernick told the media. “I’ve been denied for three years. … So we’re waiting for the 32 owners, 32 teams, Roger Goodell, all of them to stop running. Stop running from the truth. Stop running from the people.”
Kaepernick didn’t sound like a man looking for a job
If Kaepernick were serious about wanting to get back into the NFL, the first thing he should have done was honor the commitment he made to practicing in front of the nearly two-dozen team representatives at the Falcons’ training facility. Instead, the move to the local high school lost him about a third of league representation.
The second thing Kaepernick should have done was approach the workout with a businessman-like attitude, hat in hand, and a dose of humility. I don’t care how mad Kaepernick is at the NFL. Teams have neglected to give him a tryout for the past three years. Get over it. The last thing you want to do when seeking a job is poke your finger in the chest of the employer.
That’s just stupid, and shows a clear lack of maturity and common sense.
One has to wonder whether Kaepernick truly wants to resume playing football, or if he’s just seeking that rather large, public platform he once possessed — and exploited.
Playing football in the NFL is not a right. It’s a privilege and an honor. But don’t tell that to Kaepernick. The way he bloviated in front of the media after his workout proves he carries an aura of entitlement on his shoulders.
He’s not looking for a job. If he were, he’d have tried to put his best foot forward. He’d have spoken glowingly about the league, profusely thanked those who showed up to watch him practice, and left no doubt that he was ready to work as hard as possible if only someone would give him an opportunity.
Instead he taunted his potential employers. Essentially, he told them to stop being cowards and liars (“stop running from the truth”), and informed them all that his right to play football — that which does not exist — has been robbed from him.
Kaepernick’s on-field talent not worth the off-field antics
I’ve never been a fan of Kaepernick. He’s a very average passer — the stats don’t lie. But he had a modicum of success due to his ability to pick up yards with his legs. As a Chicago Bears fan, I’m well aware of the team’s history with poor quarterback play. And although I don’t want the Bears to sign him, I made a case for the Bears to at least attend the workout so that Bears fans knew the organization was leaving no stone unturned in its quest to fix the position.
After Saturday’s turn of events, I’m embarrassed I even suggested the Bears attend that charade. Kaepernick has no business being on an NFL roster ever again. He’s a me-first egotist. Whatever minimal benefit he might ever provide a team on the field, he’d detract from it with his antics off of it.
No thanks. Hard pass.