Colin Kaepernick is reportedly getting a chance this
Saturday to workout in front of all the 32 NFL teams in hopes of getting back
to playing professional football again since 2016.
According to an NFL memo sent to teams on Tuesday, Kaepernick
is expected to take part in a workout at the Atlanta Falcon’s facility.
Kaepernick who has been out of action since 2016 season as a result of his
protests against racial injustice, will get a chance for the first time in
three years to be evaluated and potentially signed by teams ahead of the new
2019 football season.
“Earlier this year,” the copy of the memo read. “we discussed
some possible steps with his 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 N.F.L. career,” the memo said.
According to a post on New York Times website, the 32-year-old footballer and his
representatives were notified on Tuesday about the development and given just
two hours to confirm whether he [Kaepernick] would attend the workout in the
Flowery Branch, Ga.
According to the report, Kaepernick’s representatives were
confused and wondered why the workout would be fixed for Saturday, a day most
clubs travel for away games and requested for it to be shifted to Tuesday, a
day when most teams traditionally hold their workouts, but the request was
declined.
On Tuesday evening, Kaepernick tweeted: “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.”
Back in August, a month before the start of the football
season, Kaepernick shared a workout video with the caption: “5am. 5 days a
week. For 3 years. Still Ready.”
Kaepernick has not been signed since 2016 season after he
opted-out of his contract with 49ers whom he led to the Super Bowl in the 2012
season.
The 32-year-old player was out of work during the 2017 season
at the height of player protests with President Trump getting involved saying
at a rally that owners should fire any player who protests during the anthem.
Meanwhile, Kaepernick and former 49ers teammate Safety Eric
Reid filed a lawsuit against the NFL accusing the league of conniving with
clubs to keep them out of the NFL in violation of the collective bargaining
agreement.
Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner however have repeatedly
denied the accusation saying that individual clubs made the decisions based on
football considerations. But players and other observers are not buying the
story by maintaining that Kaepernick has been blackballed as a result of his
protests.
