Kaepernick bid to play is backed by ... Trump?
Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wants to play in the NFL, even if he has to compete to get on the field — and he has received conditional support from an unlikely source.
A person close to Kaepernick told the Associated Press on Friday: “Colin has always been prepared to compete at the highest level and is in the best shape of his life.”
Kaepernick released a video earlier this week saying: “5 a.m. 5 days a week. For 3 years. Still Ready.”
When asked about a possible Kaepernick return to the NFL, President Trump — a strong critic of the former 49er in the wake of his taking a knee during the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice — said he should be given a chance.
“Only if he’s good enough,” Trump told reporters. “I know the owners, I know (Patriots owner) Bob Kraft. They will do anything they can to win games.
“Frankly, I’d love to see Kaepernick come in, if he’s good enough. But I don’t want to see him come in because somebody thinks it’s a good PR move. If he’s good enough, he will be in.”
The Philadelphia Eagles lost backup Nate Sudfeld to a broken left wrist Thursday night, raising speculation the team would be in the market for an experienced quarterback. Sudfeld was scheduled for surgery, but coach Doug Pederson said it’s not a seasonending injury and the team was content with No. 3 quarterback Cody Kessler and rookie Clayton Thorson.
Kaepernick, 31, hasn’t played since 2016.
In March, Kaepernick and former 49ers teammate Eric Reid — who had joined Kaepernick in the kneeling protest — received payouts from the NFL after filing a collusion complaint against the league.
The Wall Street Journal said that Kaepernick and Reid were going to receive less than $10 million in the settlement.
Reid signed a oneyear deal with Carolina last September, played 13 games with the Panthers and in February agreed to a threeyear extension.
In 2016, Kaepernick played in 12 games for the 49ers — 11 of which he started — and threw for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. He became a free agent after the season and remains unsigned.
The Ravens considered signing Kaepernick in the summer of 2017 when starting quarterback Joe Flacco was dealing with a back injury that would keep him out for the preseason. Owner Steve Bisciotti said he consulted with fans and the team ultimately passed.
Kaepernick met with Seattle a couple of years ago, but Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he should be a starter in the league and the team only wanted a backup for Russell Wilson.
Former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said he has told teams who’ve asked him that Kaepernick is a “great competitor” and he’ll “have a great career and be a great quarterback, win championships.”
While he has been away from the playing field, Kaepernick has become an advocate for social and racial justice and became the face of Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign.