Colin Kaepernick — always generous with Turlock and Modesto — misplayed this one
Colin Kaepernick apparently likes being viewed as a picked-on former NFL quarterback more than the idea of being an NFL quarterback.
Given a chance to figuratively shake hands with his former employer and move on, the Turlock-raised star chose to figuratively spit in the employer’s eye.
Last week, a couple of dozen teams wanted to see if Kaepernick might fit into their game plan. He hasn’t played in three years but insists he’s stayed in shape and is ready to resume his athletic career. These teams sent representatives Saturday to an NFL facility in Atlanta to watch him work out.
But an hour before the scheduled start, Kaepernick’s people unilaterally moved the event to a high school 60 miles away, and only eight teams were able to react in time to attend.
The move was calculated to show the world that Kaepernick is in charge, and lives to serve no one.
It came off like a publicity stunt. Instead of proving he can once again be an NFL quarterback, Kaepernick proved he mostly wants attention.
This doesn’t square with the Kaepernick that many know: Graciously generous with his time and celebrity to lift Camp Taylor, a local nonprofit dedicated to children with heart disease. Quietly donating $1 million to oppressed communities, even while unemployed. Inspiring countless Americans with courage and conviction.
Only 13 years ago, Kaepernick was king of the gridiron at Pitman High in Turlock, 11 miles from Modesto down Highway 99. He threw and scrambled his way to glory in college at the University of Nevada, then as a beloved leader of San Francisco’s offense, taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012 and to the NFC conference championship in 2013.
Those glory days seem so faded now.
The next few seasons were marred by mediocrity, then political conflict when Kaepernick first sat, then kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality. His stand brought out the best in some and the worst in others. President Donald Trump famously said teams should fire any “son of a b----” who protests that way.
What happened last week has nothing to do with Kaepernick’s Constitutional right to free speech, and everything to do with showing up prepared for a job interview. Or not.
Those seeking a professional position ought to dress appropriately when meeting a prospective boss. On Saturday, Kaepernick chose to wear a “Kunta Kinte” warm-up T-shirt, reminding all of the slave in Alex Haley’s 1976 novel “Roots” and drawing a parallel to his treatment by the league. Talk about picking a scab, and a fight.
Job candidates would do well to speak with respect to prospective employers. Kaepernick belittled his, telling scouts to tell team owners to “stop being scared.”
It’s hard to find a man more attuned to black sports history, and mistreatment of black athletes, than ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith. Over the years, he strongly supported Kaepernick’s right to protest the way he felt he should. But Smith refused to take Kaepernick’s part in this kerfuffle, noting that the player or his camp had more than four days to object to the NFL’s workout waiver and seek other terms. Instead, they waited till the last minute.
“He don’t wanna play. He wants to be a martyr,” Smith concluded.
It’s possible that someone was impressed enough Saturday to give Kaepernick a chance. He has been shamefully blackballed by the NFL, whose 32 teams typically carry three quarterbacks each. Is he among the 96 most talented in North America? He is, even three years removed from the game, and most in our region hope for a successful and honorable comeback for one of our own.
Saturday’s antics suggest that Kaepernick is less serious about returning to the game that made him famous than he is at just being famous.
This story was originally published November 20, 2019 at 7:54 AM.
