Colin Kaepernick isn’t ready to close the chapter on his NFL career just yet. The 36-year-old quarterback recently told Sky Sports that he continues to train and remains hopeful that an NFL owner will give him another opportunity.
Kaepernick last played in the NFL in 2016, when he made headlines by kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Following his release from the San Francisco 49ers, under the new leadership of coach Kyle Shanahan, Kaepernick alleged that he was blackballed by the league due to his protests. Despite the challenges, he remains determined to return to the field.
“It’s something I’ve trained my whole life for,” Kaepernick said to Sky Sports. “Stepping back on the field would be a huge accomplishment for me. I believe I can contribute to a team and help them win a championship.”
In 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, claiming he was unfairly denied opportunities due to his activism. Although the case was settled in 2019, he has yet to receive another offer to play.
Drafted 36th overall by the 49ers in 2011, Kaepernick quickly rose to stardom, leading San Francisco to the Super Bowl in 2012. However, his performance began to decline in 2014, and injuries led to him losing his starting position. In 2016, he regained the starting job, throwing 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions across 12 games, with a passer rating of 90.7.
Beyond football, Kaepernick has continued his activism, notably through his Netflix special “Colin in Black & White,” where he controversially compared the NFL Draft to a slave auction. He also founded Know Your Rights Camp, an organization advocating for a future without policing and prisons.
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