Let’s call it The Kap Slap. Or maybe The Sham. Both inscriptions are apt for the workout the NFL has scheduled for Colin Kaepernick to take place this Saturday in Atlanta. The former starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, who hasn’t played in the league since December 2016, is slated to show teams he still has the physical tools to be on one of the league’s 32 teams’ rosters.
It is a typical and obvious NFL public relations move and an attempt to shield individual teams from the potential intense scrutiny and vitriol they face from racist, culturally ignorant inhabitants of a country that is as dangerously and self-destructively divided as it has been in its 243 history as the United States of America.
If teams were seriously interested in considering signing the 32-year-old Kapernick, they would invite him to their facility or travel to a location of his choosing to conduct drills and an interview to determine if he’s a viable fit. But they literally fear the backlash and widespread media attention that will surely ensue as a result of their association with someone who is at once being villified, blackballed and praised for his stance against social injustices.
The NFL issued a memo stating: “Earlier this year, we discussed some possible steps with [Kaepernick’s] representatives and they recently emphasized his level of preparation and that he is ready to work out for clubs and be interviewed by them. We have therefore arranged this opportunity for him to work out, and for all clubs to have the opportunity to evaluate his current readiness and level of interest in resuming his NFL career.”
It’s more bogus, politically correct nonsense. The entire football world—fans included—know Kaepernick is eager for another shot at playing in the league and has been diligently doing all he can to be ready if opportunity comes knocking. To date, his phone hasn’t rang while week after week quarterbacks who aren’t nearly as accomplished or capable as Kaepernick take snaps in NFL games or are teams’ primary backups.
Kaepernick stated, “I’m just getting word from my representatives that the NFL league office reached out to them about a workout in Atlanta on Saturday. I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years, can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.”
To add to the plausible suspicion, the workout is scheduled for Saturday when most front office personnel such as general managers are engrossed in their team’s roster moves and other business related to their game on Sunday.
Time will tell what will come out of the workout. But it is evident the NFL is still keeping Kaepernick at least an arm’s length away.