Colin Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season after he went unsigned following his iconic protests during the national anthem. But even though it’s been almost seven years since he’s seen the field, Kaepernick still has plans to make a return to the league if any team is willing to give him a chance.
During an interview with Sports Illustrated this week, 35-year-old Colin Kaepernick made it clear that he is not intending to retire, revealing that he stays in shape by working out five or six times a week. He also claims that he cans still throw more than 60 yards with ease.
“I’m going to keep pushing,” Kaepernick told Sports Illustrated. “I’m going to keep fighting for it because I know I can step on the field and play. Every workout, every opportunity I’ve had to show that, the feedback has always been positive. Everything from, ‘He’s still an elite player,’ to ‘The workout was great; it was better than expected.’
“When I had my workout with the Raiders last year, even training with guys, there’s a decent amount of people who may have forgotten what I was capable of doing on the field, so any chance to be able to remind people of what I can do out there, I look forward to and embrace, and I look forward to the day that I get to step on the field and show people what I can do.”
It’s big news from Kaepernick, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on social media.
https://twitter.com/samtripoli/status/1674603034419294213?s=20
XFL tryouts are next month https://t.co/sE1o4uxskk
— Kyle Morgan CATAPULT Southwest Regional Scout (@KyleMorgan_XOS) June 29, 2023
ok look man. i dig it i really do, but, https://t.co/gBz69ZTDPQ
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) June 29, 2023
Just throw on them pads for the XFL, CFL, or USFL mane. https://t.co/WFbzNiI5AP
— Apple Juice Atreides || L▫️A▫️G (@MillyBeamen) June 29, 2023
Mind you, Patrick Mahomes was drafted and has won TWO NFL championships since this guy’s last season. It’s so joever. https://t.co/cetOja9LN5
— A D O N I S 👑 (@AdonisH830) June 30, 2023
Bro, nobody wants a 35 Yr old QB it being Kaep or not, let alone a 35 yr old QB that hasn't played an NFL game since 2017. Was Colin done dirty? Yeah. Is he going to get another shot at the NFL? Sadly no. https://t.co/sheZ5qXckV
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖆𝖕𝖊𝖗 | 4𝖝 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖕𝖘 (@YourDadsFailure) June 29, 2023
I'll never fully engage as an @NFL fan again because of how they treated @Kaepernick7. My childhood love for NFL football has ceased to exist because the NFL caved to a loud minority of people who don't want to believe or accept systemic racism exists in this country. https://t.co/lzCEpXAeoT
— Mr. 64 Dollar Cologne (@cblawku) June 29, 2023
Kaepernick accused NFL owners of blackballing him from the NFL after he went unsigned following his protests. That case has since been settled outside of court, and Kaepernick has since had multiple NFL tryouts.
