BLIND GOSSIP

The #1 Blind Item Site in the World!

The Colin Kaepernick Fake Out

UPDATED!

[Blind Gossip] You may already know that former professional football player Colin Kaepernick is holding a workout on Saturday in the hopes of being signed by another NFL team.

Like everything with Colin Kaepernick, this event is surrounded by controversy!

Eric Reid, a Carolina Panthers player (Go Panthers!) who was a teammate of Kaepernick on the San Francisco 49ers (Go Niners!), says that the workout “feels like a PR stunt.”

Since Reid is a friend of Kaepernick’s, it is not clear if he meant that Kaep was stunting or if the NFL was stunting.

Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots (Go Pats!), says that it is “pretty cool” that Kaepernick is getting an opportunity to prove himself.

Some NFL teams are going. Some are not. At last report, somewhere between eleven and twenty-four teams will have a representative in attendance.

However, one of those teams has no intention of signing him.

Their attendance is fake. They are sending someone only to avoid accusations of racism. They absolutely will not sign him.

We do not know how many of the other teams that will be there feel the same way.

We also do not know how many teams that will not be there who would like to sign Kaep but face too much negative pressure from owners or fans or sponsors.

The reality is that football is a form of entertainment.

In an ideal world movies would be cast or athletes would be signed based purely on talent.

In the real world there are a lot of other factors that come into play when deciding to make someone part of your team.

Colin Kaepernick has not played professional football in three years.

Similar: Controversial Athlete On The Move

Team:

[Optional] Do you want your favorite NFL team to sign him? Why or why not? Please keep your comments civil.

UPDATE!

Well, that was a mess!

The good news is that a full 25 out of 32 NFL teams sent representatives to the workout.

The bad news is that Colin Kaepernick did NOT show up!

Instead, THIRTY MINUTES before the workout at the Atlanta Falcons facility was scheduled to start, Kaepernick decided he did not like the arrangements.

He did not want to sign the standard waiver that the NFL provided.

He did not like the facility.

He wanted to have fans watching.

He wanted to have the media in attendance.

He wanted to hold a press conference.

He wanted Nike to film a commercial during the event.

On and on.

The NFL tried to accommodate his last-minute demands, but to no avail.

So, Kaepernick moved the workout to a high school an hour away from the original location.

Only 8 of the 25 teams decided to make the move with him.

They got there just as the sun was beginning to set.

Kaepernick threw the ball around, talked to the cameras, filmed his commercial, and signed autographs for the fans.

One final note. Kaepernick showed up at the high school wearing a Kunta Kinte shirt. Kunta Kinte was a character in the TV mini-series Roots. Was Kaepernick trying to compare himself to a slave?

What was point of that entire event?

Will any NFL team want him after all that?

Here is the statement that the NFL put out on Saturday afternoon after Colin Kaepernick’s workout was moved from the Atlanta Falcons’ training facility to a new location.

We are disappointed that Colin did not appear for his workout. He informed us of that decision at 2:30 p.m. today along with the public.

Today’s session was designed to give Colin what he has consistently said he wants — an opportunity to show his football readiness and desire to return to the NFL. Twenty-five (25) clubs were present for the workout, and all 32 clubs, their head coaches, general managers, and other personnel executives would have received video footage of the interview and workout, shot by the Atlanta Falcons video crew. It is important to note the following:

» As stated above, more than three-fourths of NFL clubs were present for today’s workout.

» The NFL made considerable effort to work cooperatively with Colin’s representatives. We invited his agent to suggest questions for the interview. Yesterday, when Colin’s representatives said he wanted to bring his own receivers to the workout, we agreed to the request. In addition, Coach Hue Jackson discussed with Colin’s agent what drills would be run at the workout so that Colin would know what would be expected of him.

» Last night, when Nike, with Colin’s approval, requested to shoot an ad featuring Colin and mentioning all the NFL teams present at the workout, we agreed to the request.

» On Wednesday, we sent Colin’s representatives a standard liability waiver based on the waiver used by National Invitational Camp at all NFL Combines and by NFL clubs when trying out free agent players. At noon today, Colin’s representatives sent a completely rewritten and insufficient waiver.

» We heard for the first time last night, around the same time we heard from Nike, that Colin wanted to bring his own video crew. We heard for the first time this afternoon that Colin wanted to open the event to all media.

» We agreed to have Colin’s representatives on the field while the workout was being conducted and to allow them to see how it was being recorded. We did so even though we have been clear from the beginning that this is private workout. As is typical with NFL Combines, one video crew was prepared to shoot and distribute video of the interview and workout. We confirmed with Colin’s representatives that they would receive both the video that would be sent to all 32 clubs as well as the raw footage from the entire event, which is unprecedented.

It sounds like the NFL was really jumping through hoops trying to accommodate him.

The location Colin selected is more than an hour away from Flowery Branch.

We are grateful to the Falcons, who made available the club’s first-class facility, along with athletic training, equipment, and communications staff to ensure that today’s workout would occur under ideal conditions, to coaches Hue Jackson and Joe Philbin, who were prepared to run a workout that would allow Colin to demonstrate his skill level, and to Jeff Foster and the Combine staff for arranging for other players to participate and for managing the logistics of the workout.

Colin’s decision has no effect on his status in the League. He remains an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any club.

The drama continues.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. TopChef says

    Nike hired him to get the liberal media off its back about the sweatshops in Asia. If Nike appears woke by paying 1 person $millions, the media will leave it alone about about underpaying 1000’s & taking jobs overseas.

    It’s the same reason that the College Board came up with a ‘Diversity Score’ for the SAT – to get the liberal media off its back for administering a test that colleges find useful & predictive, but that whites & Asians consistently score high on and minorities low.

  2. omgimbackagain says

    Bottom line, he just isn’t that good. We all know NFL players can get away with murdering people and dogs if they’re good at football.

  3. TruePatriot says

    I was appalled by his statements afterwards. Intimating that the NFL is ‘lying’ and ‘not facing the truth’ based on his rather mediocre performance, is ridiculous.
    He’s trying to use his race and his SJW ideology to push them into finding him a job. He’s a joke.

  4. Bookworm says

    He has now decided that it’s his right to play in the NFL. I hope no team ever hires him again.

  5. angelbratt says

    What a complete and pathetic *. I and my three sons and 9 grandchildren refuse to purchase anything Nike while this farce is going on!

  6. deepsigh says

    If CK were any good,he could get away with murder and still get signed. But he’s aging and mediocre.

    I’m going to say The Panthers or The Titans for the purely for show rep.
    I don’t think that any NFL is racist. I think they all see him as a whiny diva
    who wouldn’t be worth the headaches.

  7. throwaway2019 says

    There are inaccuracies in BG’s update. If you actually read the waiver the NFL asked for (it’s publicly available), there are definitely unusual things. For example, they asking him to waive all claims, not just for injury, but also relating to any potential employment claims he may have (re collusion by NFL teams, etc). This is absolutely not standard. They also prohibited his team from filming the workout, even though he AGREED to not having media be present…

    • Searlait says

      I would put those in too after all that has gone on. There’s bad history between Kap and The NFL. Any good lawyer would insist the NFL put those in since he’s sued them before. They have to watch their backs too. It’s Kap that wants back in, not the other way around.

  9. Bookbender says

    If he had done what he’s done at any other job in America he would be fired. What his beliefs are have no place in the workplace. The disruption he causes is a distraction to his coworkers and his views may not match theirs. It causes division on the team. He may be physically able to do the job, but he causes too much negative attention for the rest of the team. His ego is a problem if he can’t see that. I think he knows and just doesn’t care. Go Eagles!

  10. Carigirl says

    My team is the Seahawks, and no, we won’t be signing him. Too unpopular. Everyone I spoke to saw him as a self entitled brat. He is! He started to suck (not the worst in the NFL, but close), and no one wanted him. He threw a fit and…yeah! I get freedom of speech and all, but protest at city hall, write a couple of letters…etc! The whole point of sports is to take our attention off of politics and get together on a field that is neutral politically…what he did was unnecessary.

  11. august2019 says

    I hope he doesn’t get signed. He is self-serving and only started to kneel when he got benched. He comes across as another privileged, over-paid athlete who doesn’t think the rules apply to him. The NFL is a JOB. You get paid to perform that JOB. It is voluntary. And companies have RULES. I know people who have been fired for a lot less, but don’t have millions, a settlement and a Nike sponsorship to fall back on. The hoopla over this guy is INSANE.

    • august2019 says

      How he handled this workout proved it. Most people would be happy just to get the opportunity to workout for the NFL. His actions leading up to this workout and this weekend were arrogant, entitled and insincere. I couldn’t imagine acting the way he did to a potential employer and expect to get the job, so why should he?? He’s drama and trouble and no one wants to manage that.

  12. trivialtime says

    Jay-Z. Any time that guy is involved, people are lied to and treated unprofessionally.
    Collin needs to go back to his woman and scheme some more. The lapdog media will come running.

    He initially lost his quarterback job because he wasn’t good enough. Then he went full SJW on his employers time and dime. He’s a POS that no sane business would hire.

  13. Searlait says

    I think it’s an insult for this multimillionaire to compare himself to a slave. He doesn’t care about playing or causes. He cares about fame & attention. If the NFL is so evil that he can’t trust them for an audition then why would he want to play for an organization that’s like that? He cannot play for them & control the narrative 24/7.

  15. KarmaFlower says

    My team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. I would LOVE if we had Kaepernick on the team. He’ll end up a back up next year, but he has to be better than what we currently have. I could care less if he kneels every single game. We are the team that hired MICHAEL VICK *after* the dog fighting. We had a player blow off camp 2x and an entire season once. And don’t even get me started on the one who has been on 3 teams this year alone and not playing for anyone now. If he has an arm, HIRE HIM.

  16. bhakti says

    My fav team is the Seattle Seahawks. They would never sign him. We love love love our military families in WA and we’ve got Russell Wilson. No need to replace Wilson with CK who comes with controversy, baggage, and inferior skills on the field.

  17. jadedone23 says

    I didn’t realize he’d been out of football for that long. Yeah, I doubt anyone signs him at this point.

  18. reality check says

    Bottom line, he didn’t have an ounce of social conscience until he was going to get cut.
    He just isn’t good enough. He could play one game but wasn’t quick enough mentally to size up situations on the field and be flexible. There is no league dirtier than the NFL- murders, rapists, drug gets, if he had the talent they could care less.
    He was a one trick pony- brawn isn’t enough any,ore for quarterbacks- didn’t have the right stuff , face it

    • amagod121 says

      Your comment begs me to ask – if the NFL is filled with so many disreputable people, then why on earth would anyone want to watch them play football?

  19. Jthenurse says

    First, right or wrong, he has the right to freedom of speech & peaceful protest. Having said that, he was a mediocre talent who had 1 good season. Despite his claims he WAS offered a contract by, I believe, the Broncos-he didn’t like the financials. Grown men realize no matter how just you may feel your cause is, there are consequences to expressing them. Then he monetized his ideals via the Nike contract, 3 years past pro level fitness-most teams don’t want drama with no guaranted ROI.

    • staciegrenery says

      He was offered that contract months BEFORE he knelt, while still on the 49ers. He’s not disrespecting the troops at all, he’s protesting police brutality against black ppl. he was given the idea by a highly decorated VETERAN. BTW those who want celebs to shut up, think about it-life gave them a unique opportunity. Instead of doing the bare minimum, they use their platform to educate, risking alienating their fans. How many ppl hating on Kaep leave their hat on during the NA? A lot-hypocrites!

  20. Searlait says

    My husband thought the same. He thinks no one really intends on taking him but by attending they are avoiding accusations of racism.
    I definitely do not support him coming back to the NFL or playing for my favorite team. I would no longer support my team and would stop watching.

  21. Baileygirl says

    I live in New England so…GO PATS! It is so much fun to have my team in the Super Bowl…a lot!
    We have Brady and yes he is getting older but the Pats have at least two back up quarterbacks and why should they be pushed aside for Kaepernick. In all fairness, Kapernick really wasn’t that good. He listens to his girlfriend and decided to play the race card. Yeah, I think he will not be signed. This is a CYA move for sure.

    • Jthenurse says

      Go Pats! Brady is aging but still the GOAT. We do not need the drama-its a no drama club and that’s been reinforced with the club’s handling of AB. Kaep was never a great QB, just middle of the road, really, with one really good season. Some desperate team will sign him and will have to deal with the nightmare of trying to unload him for cause if he does not pan out.

  22. aaaemmyk says

    I hope he get signed.

    But I was over the NFL with Michael Vick, and I can’t support them with all we know about traumatic brain injuries now.

    I grew up in Texas where football is king, but I just can’t now.

  23. Vampira says

    I hope that team is the Cowboys, because we don’t want him here. He’s a hypocrite who expects special treatment for his “sacrifices,” but he’s not that good to begin with. How many other players who have been cut got this kind of treatment? ZERO.
    Also, those checks he received from the NFL and Nike seemed to have gotten lost in the whole narrative.

  25. LizardQueen says

    Dallas or the Patriots

    When I heard about this I thought the same. They’re (the teams) won’t sign him but saving face to keep clwar of controversy.

  26. zappy2050 says

    I like Colin Kaepernick. Actually think what he did was brave. But I agree, no one will sign him, he will never play in the NFL again.

    At first I didn’t know what to make of him – but my son explained it – It is brave for someone to stand for something, even if it is going to cost them everything.

    Many times we don’t do the right thing (me included) because we are scared of the consequences. Wish Colin well.

    • Vampira says

      There’s a difference between true bravery and attention seeking due to a pushy girlfriend & their twisted “victim” mentality. It did not cost him everything, he was cut because he’s not good enough, and he made millions from his lawsuit and from Nike.

    • zappy2050 says

      Vampira,

      You and I both know there are worst QBs in the NFL than Colin. But the kneeling and the drama surrounding it is distracting and controversial. Hell, they signed Michael Vick after the dog killing incident – I was shocked when they did.

      I wish Colin well. He needs to go get some degrees and go teach at a school – goof mentor for kids. Don’t believe me – ask some teenagers.

    • zappy2050 says

      Saw the workout. Wasn’t exceptonal, but he definitely has some life left in him. There are worse QBs in the NFL

      No, no team will sign him. It is over.

      Colin, if you are reading this (and a lot of famous people read BlindGossip), go get yourself some degrees and go teach at a school, be an assistant coach as well. Good luck, wish you well.

    • winteriscoming says

      He is NOT brave. He is a money hungry publicity seeking *! He was cut because he wasn’t a good QB who couldn’t handle the pressure! This why our youths are messed up…. they think footballers are BRAVE! What a joke!

  27. itstarapagain says

    I think the workout is part of his lawsuit settlement with the NFL. The courts said the lawsuit had enough merit to move forward. Thus the settlement to avoid a verdict against them for colluding against him.
    I believe he should get a shot. The NFL has a history of condoning/covering up their players abusing women and children, doing peds and illegal drugs, general criminal behavior, rape. Lots of rape. Hiring them back after prison. And Vick. So sick and cruel. Yet Colin- no criminal.

  29. aaajrm68 says

    It is fake, it came out that Jay Z set this up so he wouldn’t be dogged for selling out. I don’t watch football, but my husband is a huge 49ers fan , so I know he sucked big time his last year playing. Every week I had to hear about how he took them to the super bowl only to be a huge failure later. A third string quarterback was better than him. He used the kneeling to make name for himself, if he gets signed it will only be for PR and virtual signally and not for skill.

    • sunshine702 says

      I got to meet some of his “bait dogs” living out good lives at Best Friends in UT. F×(& that guy. Clip battery caes to his ears and throw him in the pool. (He did that)

  31. felicia says

    My team has a franchise QB so no. But I’m commenting to say this. I’m a season ticket holder and have been going to every game for years now. I live in a red state, and you would be surprised how many people routinely do not remove their hats during the anthem. And we are of course talking about the guys wearing wranglers or camo.. not black people protesting. This WHOLE Kaep controversy was a HUGE PR stunt from the very beginning 3 years ago. If he’s qualified, sign him someone.

  33. aaaarima says

    Colin had a PEACEFUL PROTEST!!..He didn’t light fires, he didn’t block roads, he didn’t burn flags, he has the RIGHT to protest (all Americans) whether we agree with his reasons or not!!!…what they did to this man is grossly unfair!!

  34. deepsigh says

    Friends on both sides of the political fence were pretty annoyed by this guy. Watching football was an escape from all the tension and bickering of the 2016 election. Tension and bickering that hasn’t gotten better in the intervening years.

    The NFL has lost about 25% of their fan base over this controversy.
    They can’t afford to lose more fans or advertisers.
    Colin K. has no shot at being given any kind of serious consideration. This is all for show.

  35. Alexis_Rose says

    In the 1968 Olympics, two black American athletes did a “Black Power” salute on the podium during the Star Spangled Banner. They were expelled from the Olympics, received death threats, etc. for protesting discrimination in housing, college access, etc. for black Americans. Kaepernick has done a similar protest w/ his kneel. It’s sad he’s lost his career over this. I believe if he has the talent & can compete, he should be signed. The NFL can write in his contract a ban on kneeling.

  36. pitbull says

    I don’t care if he is black, white, or pink and purple polka-dotted. I feel he is disrespectful to our Vets.

    Football IS entertainment. And the laws of free market and supply and demand have made him a liability. I live in NC and so help me, if the Panthers sign this buffoon, I will boycott all their sponsors.

  37. delray74 says

    He had the super bowl in his hands and threw incompletions.
    He got benched for Blaine Gabbert
    He opted out of his contract

    I’m over this guy. He’s a sandlot QB past his prime.

  38. Flanky says

    Would I want my team to sign him?? Hell no! He’s not that good and he’s not worth the drama. Once the league figured out hus style, he was toast.

  39. anniebanannie says

    Team: Dallas Cowboys
    Optional: As a Packers fan, absolutely not. Although, I think Kaep does have some playing skills still in him. I just wish entertainers, of all forms, would keep their politics to themselves. We want to watch you perform, not preach. Use your “status” in your community and start making changes there. Like the line in the movie Big Fish, “never discuss religion or politics, you never know who you will offend.”

  40. Alllie says

    The 49’s already been called racist and don’t want to be burned again, the Cowboys won’t even look at him as a water boy, and I don’t care one way or the other, we all stopped watching 3 years ago. He disrespects the nation, flag, military it is not a protest, its hate for his own country. When he wore the pig/police socks and the press praised him for it, that was the last I will ever support the nfl.

  41. blubelle says

    I will immediately boycott any team that signs him, just as I boycotted Nike for using him in their ads. He’s an opportunistic fame whore who wears socks that portray police officers as pigs. He manufactures drama for his own benefit. He’s a hypocrite, a fraud, and a truly horrible human being. Those are the nicest things I can say about this jerk. One can imagine what I’d say if I wasn’t asked to “keep my comments civil”.

  42. GooglyMoogly says

    Atlanta Falcons

    The whole thing is a farce – workouts are typically done on Tuesdays, not Saturdays in a 2 hour window. This was setup but he NFL and is a giant mess.

    I have no problem with Kaep or what he stands for. He did his research and even spoke to military veterans who suggested he kneel instead of staying in the locker room as he was planning on doing.

    He will never play in the NFL again. No team will take on the baggage he brings.

  43. GretaGuesses says

    I don’t know what team has no intention of signing him, as I don’t follow the NFL since Kaepernick made it political instead of an escape from the stresses of politics day in and day out. I will confess that I watched the Seahawks -49ers game, and it was terrific! Way to go, Seahawks!

    No, since I am liking the Seahawks, I don’t want them to sign Kaepernick!

  44. theotherwoman says

    Fav team: Pittsburgh Steelers.
    And no I would NOT want them to sign him. Not getting into why.

  46. Marybel says

    NO!! He isn’t about playing football. He is about chaos and causing division and unrest. Slam the door on him for good!

  47. aaamzfab says

    Team: New England Patriots….they are my abailuyr fave answer NO I would not want them to sign him….can’t stand him

  48. redstilettos says

    CK wasn’t a good quarterback. His stunts were manufactured by his girlfriend. Strike first by claiming racism. Then you’re set and teams, agents, other players, etc are always having to shield racism questions. It takes away from his lesser ability. Don’t dare say a bad word! You’re racist! Even though there are many way more talented players (of ALL races) in the NFL than CK.

  49. beachchick218 says

    No, I hope no one signs him. He’s a troublemaker that kickstarted the NFL’s decline. He instigated a bunch of ungrateful highly paid athletes to flip America the bird. Ironically, if they didn’t live in this country, they’d be making poverty wages at some sweatshop. I can’t stand him and no longer watch NFL because of him and what he started.

    He wasn’t even a talented player.. He’s a hypocrite to boot. Raised well off by white couple that adopted him. He is a disgusting blemish on…

    • PipPipHooray says

      I’m sorry what? Is America suddenly the only country that pays people a decent wage? Get a grip. People can play sports anywhere.

    • Smartlady says

      I agree, they would be foolish not to sign him. Everyone deserves a second or third chance… besides he’s a good football player. He exercised his first amendment right and is getting crucified for it…certainly not fair.

    • Keeping Honest says

      I think you meant The Entire World Would Be Foolish To Hire Him? He did not vote and yet he wants to complain. I mean wow… what a guy.

    • blueeyedgal says

      Are you for real!?! He was a horrible quarterback the last season he played. The 49ndfs were 1-10. He had to create drama somehow so that when he was not signed it was because of “racism.” He did not kneel for anything other than PR. If he really wanted to help the cause get out in the community and do something! Actions speak louder than words and throwing money at it does not solve the problem. There are far too many better players for him to even be considered!

    • wendybar says

      Inconsiderate, selfish, all about him, poser?? I wouldn’t hire him…he’s a joke. They are looking at trouble if they do, because he will make them regret it.

    • AHHAof3 says

      Jerry Jones said that there won’t be a Cowboys representative there before this story was published. Not the Cowboys.

  52. mycatsarefamily says

    I’m not sure which team this is but I feel that no team should sign him.
    While I believe in the right to free speech, kneeling during the national anthem is disrespectful to all those who fought for and/ or gave their lives in order to protect that right in this country.
    He was also photographed wearing a pair of socks that portrayed police officers as pigs Totally disrespectful and hypocritical.
    Good riddance to him

    • reality check says

      He also wore those socks HOURS after a young patrolman was assassinated in his car, during that streak when a Obama was practically telling people kill a cop today, not your fault.
      Never forgot that young guy and all the networks talked about was this PW jerk could think quick enough to play more than one style, and was bit—slapped by his girlfriend because he couldn’t think for himself off the field either

  53. mommagoosed says

    Kaepernick was cut b/c there are far better QBs in the NFL, not b/c of how he expresses his opinions. No idea who is concerned about appearing racist, but my Redskins allegedly will be there. 🙄

    • Egregious Philbin says

      Of course, the Washington football team will do anything to avoid appearing to be racist. You know, other than changing their nickname.

    • mommagoosed says

      @Philbin – we’ll agree to disagree about the Redskins’ name, heritage, history, and support. 😊

    • KTMD1998 says

      Am I the only one who remember Denver offered him a contract but the $$$ wasn’t enough. I guess being a SJW pays more money. I’m so bored with over paid whiners.

    • Mama Bear says

      He is trash. He stands for stupidity.

      America has changed in the past two years as the frauds and bull * Obama and the Dems becomes more and more obvious, Patriotisim is on the rise. His hate is just ignorance on display.

    • TruePatriot says

      Are you a native American, Egregious Philbin?
      I’m Alabama-Coushatta & my daughter is also an Eastern Shoshone Tribal member as well as on the board of a Native American education council & works for the Three Rivers Tribal Council, too.
      Both of us love the name ‘Redskins’ & think it promotes a positive image of our plains heroes.
      I’m just letting you know not all of us are ‘offended’.