Colin Kaepernick’s relationship with the NFL has been a roller coaster of ups and downs since his arrival via the 2011 Entry Draft. His journey was one that saw everything from on the field glory to off the field drama, culminating in a recently resolved grievance. While the door to a return to the league remains slightly ajar, Kaepernick’s scorched earth tactics since playing his most recent game in 2016 have left many in football rallying against him. From owners allegedly colluding against him to fans swearing off of the league should their favorite team sign him, Kaepernick has cemented himself as not only the most controversial NFL player, but arguably the most polarizing athlete of the present day.
The former Nevada Wolfpack quarterback was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 36th selection of that draft, and began his professional career as the team’s backup. After bursting onto the scene in 2012 and leading the 49ers to an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, Kaepernick was drawing praise from veteran NFL analysts around the league. ESPN’s Ron Jaworski went as far as saying that Kaepernick “could be one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.”
Since that Super Bowl, Kaepernick’s status in the football world declined precipitously. His play on the field declined and lead to him being benched, but the controversy surrounding him didn’t truly begin until Aug. 26, 2016. Prior to the 49ers’ third pre-season game, Kaepernick elected to sit on the team’s bench during the national anthem in protest of police brutality against African Americans.
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This set off a media firestorm, with his decision being seen as a show of disrespect to the military personnel who serve to defend our country, as well as disrespectful to the flag itself. Kaepernick consulted with Nate Boyer, a former Army Green Beret who also had a cup of coffee in the NFL in 2015, and decided that kneeling would be a more considerate way of relaying his message without disrespecting those who fought for the flag:
However, Kaepernick’s attempt fell on deaf ears, and those who derided him for sitting continued to do so throughout the 2016 NFL season, where Kaepernick would kneel during the anthem of all 16 49ers games.
After his contract expired at the conclusion of 2016, Kaepernick found himself in search of a new team to ply his trade for. By the time training camp began in July 2017, Kaepernick was unable to latch on with another team, and murmurs that his kneeling had made him persona non grata among NFL owners began to spread.
Kaepernick Takes Matters Into His Own Hands
Midway through the 2017 season, Kaepernick officially filed a grievance against the NFL, claiming the league’s owners colluded against him as retaliation for kneeling. The NFL denied any and all assertions that Kaepernick’s unemployment stemmed from collusion, but he would remain unsigned through the remainder of the 2017 season, and was passed over once again as the 2018 offseason came and went.
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The league attempted to have the case thrown out, but were denied by an independent arbitrator. The 2018 season came and went, and Kaepernick failed to latch on to one of the league’s 1,696 roster spots for its 32 teams for a second consecutive season.
While Kaepernick’s name was always on the periphery of the news cycle, some wondered if the whole situation had become much ado about nothing.
“Is he even still good anymore? He’s been out of the league for two years now,” said Steven Belfi, a member of Ramapo College’s Spring 2014 graduating class. “Even with the kneeling, I feel like someone would have signed him if could still play.”
“It’s the same thing with [former NFL quarterback Tim] Tebow. I’m sure he’s still good enough to be a backup somewhere, but why would you want a backup that brings the whole media circus to town with him?” said brother Robert Belfi.
The End of One Saga Marks the Beginning of Another
On Feb. 15, 2019, the acrimonious battle between Kapernick and the NFL finally came to a close. The two sides reached a settlement for Kaepernick to drop his grievance, but terms of the deal were subject to a non-disclosure agreement per Kaepernick’s attorney
— Mark Geragos (@markgeragos) February 15, 2019
While the settlement officially closes the book on Kaepernick’s legal saga, it opens the door to numerous questions surrounding the deal. Did Kaepernick and his legal team have concrete evidence to prove collusion? How much money did the NFL pay Kaepernick to get him to drop the case? Does the agreement bar Kaepernick from pursing another contract with an NFL team?
If Kaepernick’s attorney is to be believed in spite of the NDA, the answer to the third and final question would be no. Mark Geragos speculated that the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots could be among potential suitors for his client.
With their legal battle in the rear view mirror, the NFL and Kaepernick can both look to move on from each other. Kaepernick is arguably already more famous for his activism than his on-field play, and with more awareness raised for his beliefs and what’s likely a large sum of the league’s money in tow for his troubles, it’s difficult to see the outcome as anything besides a win for Kaepernick.
As for the NFL, their multi-billion dollar industry will continue to chug along as if nothing ever happened. While nothing will appear different on the surface, the NFL will likely spend the next bit of time wiping egg off of its face behind the scenes.
You did a really good job encapsulating the entire story of Kaepernick both on and off the field before and throughout the entire controversy, and painted a picture for what could happen following the end of the legal battle between him and the NFL. Nice use of multimedia and subheadings for transitions.
Good job! -Ben