Colin Kaepernick timeline: Looking back at year of national anthem controversy

Colin Kaepernick timeline: Looking back at year of national anthem controversy

Aug. 26, 2017, marks the one-year anniversary of Colin Kaepernick choosing not to rise to his feet for the playing of the national anthem. Here's a look back at was written about that moment and some of the events and reactions that followed. 

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Aug. 26, 2016: Kaepernick sits during national anthem, 49ers defend move (click right, swipe left for next story)

By Arthur Weinsein

San Francisco 49ers defended Colin Kaepernick after the quarterback failed to stand for the United States national anthem on Friday.

Kaepernick, who has been mired in a quarterback controversy with Blaine Gabbert to see who would lead the 49ers, opted not to rise to his feet for the anthem before a preseason game at Levi's Stadium.

His action prompted the 49ers to issue a statement acknowledging that he sat during the anthem and defending his right to do so following the 21-10 loss to the Packers.

"The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony," the statement read. 

"It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”

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Aug. 28, 2016: Kaepernick says he'll 'continue to sit' during national anthem

By Ron Clements

The backlash Colin Kaepernick has received since sitting during the national anthem before Friday's preseason game against the Packers hasn't altered his stance on the practice.

The 49ers quarterback told reporters on Sunday he'll "continue to sit" during the anthem as a form of protest for what he says is the oppression "of black people and people of color."

"Ultimately it's to bring awareness and make people realize what's going on in this country," Kaepernick said in the interview, which ran more than 18 minutes. "There are a lot of things going on that are unjust, people aren't being held accountable for, and that's something that needs to change."

It's understandable why Kaepernick, born in Milwaukee, Wis., would be upset; there has been recent unrest in Wisconsin's largest city following officer-involved shootings. Kaepernick specifically cited police brutality, saying he believes officers are getting away with murder.

"Cops are getting paid leave for killing people," he said. "That's not right. That's not right by anyone's standards."

Kaepernick called for police across the country to receive better training.READ MORE

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Sept. 1, 2016: 'F— that guy': NFL execs really hate Colin Kaepernick, report says

By ​Tadd Haislop

Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the national anthem in protest has exposed a divide in public opinion, among other effects.

That divide has been amplified via the Kaepernick conversation, which has transcended beyond sports and into national political discourse. So you better believe it's all over NFL front offices, too.

Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman took the temperature this week of league executives in the context of Kaepernick and his protest. He found out those officials, for the most part, hate Kaepernick and his stance — literally hate .

"I don't want him anywhere near my team," one executive told Freeman. "He's a traitor."

Said another exec: "He has no respect for our country. F— that guy."

And from a general manager: "In my career, I have never seen a guy so hated by front office guys as Kaepernick."

Freeman interviewed seven executives and said each estimates "90 to 95 percent of NFL front offices felt the same way they did," and one even compared the "collective dislike" to that of Rae Carruth, a former player who remains jailed on charges in the murder of his pregnant girlfriend.

As Sporting News NFL writer David Steele wrote Wednesday, this in part is why Kaepernick likely will have to remain alone in his protest. Despite the league's stance — "We encourage but do not require players to stand" — reactions from team execs such as those reported by Freeman will keep other players' mouths shut.

Former NFL agent Joel Corry told Steele that if Kaepernick eventually is released (as many anticipate), it "will have a chilling effect on guys speaking out. They'll make the connection — speak out? Gone. Especially the guys who weren't necessarily secure."

No matter the reason — Kaepernick's injury history and poor play of late made him a release candidate well before his protest — if the 49ers cut Kaepernick, based on apparent views of him in league front offices, he'll have a hard time finding another job in the NFL.

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Sept. 1, 2016: Kaepernick takes a knee, more flak in San Diego

By ​Vinnie Iyer

How did Colin Kaepernick's first exhibition game since Sunday's national anthem protest controversy go in San Diego? About how one would expect, at least before he took his first snap. 

There were the boos from home and some away fans as Kaepernick finished up his warmups. There were a swarm of cameras focused on where Kaepernick wouldn't be standing for the song.

There was Kaepernick, instead of sitting, off the bench and kneeling, as an African-American serviceman performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" on miliary appreciation night.

As most of the stadium stood in reverence of the anthem, it held out from disrespecting Kaepernick — until he took the field again for the opening kickoff.

It didn't matter that on Kaepernick's side was Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret and long snapper for the rival Seahawks who supported his right to protest and was willing to have open conversation with the issues to which Kaepernick was trying to bring light.

From the signs by Chargers fans, to doctored Kaepernick jerseys by 49ers fans, it's clear other people have made up their minds and drawn the line.

So, for all that, Kaepernick kept doing what he did a little differently, and a lot of people still weren't happy about it. Everything has focused more on him, rather than what he was trying to say and back up.

Now, it will come down to what he can do on the field as an NFL quarterback to see whether he can try to say much more on an NFL sideline.

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Sept. 1, 2016: Report: Kaepernick wore socks depicting police as pigs before anthem protest began

By Sean Gentille

We don't know the exact rationale behind Colin Kaepernick's pigs-as-police socks because he hasn't told us, but then, we don't really need him to tell us much. The reaction — widespread outrage, shock, clutched pearls — says enough.

Kaepernick opted out of subtext last week when he protested the national anthem. He abandoned it when he explained his motivation: speaking out against police brutality.

"There's people being murdered unjustly (by law enforcement) and not being held accountable. People are being given paid leave for killing people. That's not right. That's not right by anyone's standards," he said.

"People of color have been targeted by police. So that’s a large part of it and they’re government officials. They are put in place by the government. So that’s something that this country has to change. There’s things we can do to hold them more accountable."

A few days after, CBS Sports realized that Kaepernick had been practicing in the socks for weeks.

It's easy to look at the act of typing "socks pig police uniform" on Amazon and wonder what that does to add accountability, but Kaepernick's protest goes beyond that. He's mad. He isn't asking for peace — he's asking for justice. He's not interested in hearing both sides; he's choosing one, and he's not interested in propriety.

At face value, that's what the socks are about. It's Kaepernick digging in deeper. It's not subtext; it's supertext, and it's directly in line with his original protest. READ MORE

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Sept. 9, 2016: Broncos' Marshall kneels during national anthem

By Ron Clements

As singer Andra Day performed the United States national anthem before the NFL season opener, Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall took a knee on the sideline.

Marshall was showing solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who chose not to stand during the national anthem before preseason games as a form of protest.

Kaepernick and Marshall were team-mates at the University of Nevada.

"While we encourage members of our organisation to stand during the national anthem, we understand and respect it being a personal decision," the Broncos said in a statement.

Kaepernick is protesting for what he says is the oppression "of black people and people of colour".

He says he will continue to sit until significant change in how police officers treat minorities occurs.

His stance has gained momentum with 49ers team-mate Eric Reid, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane and United States midfielder Megan Rapinoe all kneeling before recent games.

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Sept. 13, 2016: Kaepernick continues protest with national anthem kneeldown

By ​Tom Gatto

Colin Kaepernick carried his national anthem protest to the regular season.

The 49ers backup quarterback again took a knee Monday prior to his team's opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Teammate Eric Reid knelt alongside Kaepernick, and players from both teams raised their fists to protest injustice against minority groups.

ESPN did not shy away from showing the protests. It zoomed in on Kaepernick and Reid, who knelt behind an American flag that covered the entire field at Levi's Stadium. The network's cameras also stayed on the 49ers and Rams players who raised their fists.

The announcer team of Chris Berman, Steve Young and Lindsay Czarniak took several minutes after the anthem to analyze the protests. Czarniak reported that fans sitting behind Kaepernick yelled to the quarterback to stand up. Berman closed the coverage by saying, "To each their own, and all discussions pointing in the right direction."

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Sept. 21, 2017: Kaepernick says he's received death threats, addresses Terence Crutcher killing

By Steven J. Gaither

Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem isn't only causing him negative attention from many circles, it's also resulted in threats made against his life.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback said he has received a number of death threats since he decided not to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner." Kaepernick said he hadn't told team security.

“To me, if something like that were to happen, you’ve proved my point and it’ll be loud and clear to everyone why it happened,” he said, via CSN Bay Area. “And that would move this movement forward at a greater speed than what it is even now.

“I don’t want this to happen, but that’s the (reality) of what could happen.”

The quarterback first took a knee during the national anthem prior to a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, explaining his intent to bring attention to the killings of people of color at the hands of police officers. 

Undeterred by the threats, Kaepernick has continued through the first few weeks of the regular season. He also spoke out Tuesday about the death of Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old black man who was shot dead by a Tulsa, Okla., police officer Friday.

Video made public Monday showed Crutcher, a pastor, with his hands in the air before he was killed. The Tulsa Police Department said no weapons were recovered on Crutcher's person nor in his vehicle.

"They shot and killed a man and walked around like it wasn't a human being," Kaepernick said, via the Sacramento Bee. "… That's not right. And they should be in prison for that."

Kaepernick said he'll donate $100,000 a month for the next 10 months to increase awareness about the issues. He intends to create a website where the public can track the donations made.

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Sept. 22, 2016: Time magazine puts Kaepernick on its cover

By ​Rana L. Cash

Countless Americans are convinced Colin Kaepernick's silent, non-violent protest against police brutality is nothing more than a cry for attention from a backup quarterback at best, and at worst a disrespectful attempt to debase the flag and the Star-Spangled Banner.

In any event, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback has fueled a national debate that reaches far beyond the football field. 

Time magazine acknowledges as much by putting Kaepernick on the cover of its Oct. 3 issue.

Kaepernick, after initially sitting during the national anthem, has vowed to kneel in protest of what he described as the oppression of African Americans. Since then, a number of other NFL players have joined in support of his message, either by kneeling or holding up clenched fists, a form of protest seared in Olympic sports history by Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

Other athletes profiled in the article include Malcolm Jenkins of the Eagles, Devin McCourty of the Patriots and a commentary piece by Jelani Jenkins of the Dolphins.  

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Sept. 29, 2016: President Obama defends Kaepernick protest, urges both sides to listen

By Bob Hille

President Obama on Wednesday night defended 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's right to protest during the national anthem, but recognized the need to listen on both sides of the debate.

Speaking during a televised town hall meeting on CNN, Obama said: “I want (the protesters) to listen to the pain that that may cause somebody who, for example, had a spouse or a child who was killed in combat and why it hurts them to see somebody not standing. But I also want people to think about the pain he may be expressing about somebody who's lost a loved one that they think was unfairly shot.”

Kaepernick's protest, he says, isn't aimed at the military but rather toward what he — and many others — perceive as unequal treatment of people of color by law enforcement officers.

That national discussion about a protest movement has now gone up to and through the highest elected office in the land.

“Well, as I've said before, I believe that us honoring our flag and our anthem is part of what binds us together as a nation. But I also always try to remind folks that part of what makes this country special is that we respect people's rights to have a different opinion," Obama said, adding, "The test of our fidelity to our Constitution, to freedom of speech, to our Bill of Rights, is not when it's easy, but when it's hard. We fight sometimes so that people can do things that we disagree with. ... As long as they're doing it within the law, then we can voice our opinion objecting to it but it's also their right.”

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Oct. 11, 2016: 49ers turn to Colin Kaepernick because they 'need to improve' on offense

By Jordan Heck

Chip Kelly announced Tuesday that Colin Kaepernick will take over as the 49ers' starting quarterback this week against the Bills.

"We need to improve on the offensive side of the ball and this is the decision we’ve made," Kelly said.

The move is not a shocker given constant media pressure accompanying Gabbert's struggles. He has failed to reach 200 passing yards in all but one game this season, and his play has contributed to a 1-4 start for San Francisco.

Kaepernick and the 49ers reportedly were restructuring the QB's contract so his full injury guarantee would go away. Essentially, it allows San Francisco to play the quarterback and not be on the hook for his $14.9 million base salary next spring if he suffers a serious injury to trigger the guarantee.

"It's a football decision," Kelly said when asked about the contract. "I don't even know where his contract status is."

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Nov. 24, 2016: Kaepernick addresses NFL ratings drop

By Kirstie Chiappelli

Colin Kaepernick doesn’t think the ongoing national anthem protests are hurting NFL ratings.

During a conference call with Miami Dolphins reporters on Wednesday, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback was asked about recent reports that suggested his stance is one of the reasons for the decline.

“They’re not watching football because of my stance about fighting systematic oppression and wanting the same equality and freedom for all people? I would say they probably need to look in the mirror at what they value,” Kaepernick said, via the Miami Herald. “You know, if they’re OK with people being treated unfairly, being abused, being harassed, being terrorized, then the problem is more with what they’re doing in their lives than it is about watching football games.”

Kaepernick has been criticized since the preseason for kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality, which sparked a nationwide movement. The controversial veteran also revealed earlier this month that he didn't exercise his right to vote in the presidential election, saying "you have to pick the lesser of two evils, but in the end it's still evil."

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Nov. 27, 2016: Kaepernick addresses 'false narrative' on Fidel Castro comments after Miami boos

By Brandon Schlager

Colin Kaepernick said comments he made about Fidel Castro, perceived as support for the controversial late Cuban president, were taken "completely out of context" in the lead-up to Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.

Boos rained down on the San Francisco 49ers quarterback during pre-game introductions at Hard Rock Stadium, a common occurrence at road games in the aftermath of season-long national anthem protests. Afterward, Kaepernick was asked to clear the air about a tense exchange with a reporter Wednesday in which he spoke favorably of some Cuban policies under Castro's communist regime.

"What I said was I agree with the investment into education," he told reporters after a 31-24 loss to the Dolphins. "I also agree with the investment in free universal healthcare, as well as his involvement in helping to end apartheid in South Africa. I would hope that everybody agrees those things are good things.

"Trying to push the false narrative that I was a supporter of the oppressive things that he did is just not true."

The reporter, Miami Herald columnist Armando Salguero, challenged Kaepernick on a T-shirt he wore in August, depicting Malcolm X's 1960 meeting with Castro in Harlem and the words "Like Minds Think Alike." Kaepernick said he intended for the shirt to show his support Malcolm X's willingness to be "open-minded," not Castro.

Salguero, a Cuban exile under Castro, later penned a column explaining the hardships his family faced trying to leave the country for a better life, calling Kaepernick an "unrepentant hypocrite."

Castro, 90, died on Friday, an occasion celebrated by many Cuban families, some in South Florida, whose plight was similar to the Salgueros.

Kaepernick, this time wearing a shirt displaying only Malcolm X, said the timing of his comments in relation to Castro's death were "very unique circumstances." He added that he empathizes for those oppressed under Castro's regime, "but for me, what I said was, that was a historic moment for Malcolm."

"I've worn many Malcolm X shirts," he said. "He was a great man, and he lived the life that he talked about. He was someone that truly walked the walk. He was a great leader for the African community, and someone that I admire. ... What I said was, that was a historic moment for Malcolm. I'm not gonna cut out pieces of Malcolm's life. You know, in 1960 when they met in Harlem, that was a historic moment and that was something that I will always be true to what Malcolm was, what he represented."

Asked to assess whether he feels his original cause has become diluted in the national conversation, Kaepernick added: "I don't worry about people losing track of what the message is, because I've been true to the message. I'm against systematic oppression, and voting is a part of that system. I've talked at length about why I believe that."

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Dec. 4, 2016: Kaepernick's 49ers career approaching crossroads

By Joe Rodgers

Colin Kaepernick has elected to become a free agent after the season, but the decision doesn't rule out him being the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, according to NFL Media.

Earlier this season, Kaepernick restructured his contract to void the final three years of the deal, which was set to run through the 2020 season, and also give him the right to opt out after this season, which he will now pursue.

As part of the restructured deal, the 49ers didn't want to risk having to pay Kaepernick $14.5 million in 2017 if he gets hurt this year. With Kaepernick now playing well despite San Francisco's 10 straight losses, the 49ers might be more inclined to pay Kaepernick a lower salary with more guaranteed money instead of the current pay-as-you-go model.

NFL Media believes there will be plenty of suitors for Kaepernick this offseason, but he'll likely use that interest as a negotiating ploy to get the most appropriate deal for him with the 49ers, who have stood by him through the kneeling during national anthem controversy. 

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Dec. 10, 2016: Kaepernick's parents speak out: 'We admire his strength and courage'

By Gabrielle McMillen

Colin Kaepernick's parents have decided to break their silence. Teresa and Rick Kaepernick wrote a letter to ESPN's The Undefeated on Friday, addressing their son's 'strength and courage' for standing up for his beliefs.

"Colin is carrying a heavy load and following a difficult path that he truly believes in. He is putting his entire future and possibly his life on the line for those beliefs," The Kaepernicks wrote. "As his parents, it pains us to read articles and tweets saying that his family does not support him; this could not be further from the truth. We want people to know that we are very proud of our son and admire his strength and courage in kneeling for the rights of others."

Since the preseason, Kaepernick has been under fire for kneeling during the national anthem to protest what he sees as the oppression of black people in the United States. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has stressed it isn't a barb at the military, but an effort to bring more awareness to racism in America.

However, Admiral Harry Harris took a jab at Kaepernick on Pearl Harbor's 75th anniversary on Wednesday, saying, "You can bet that the men and women we honor today — and those who died that fateful morning 75 years ago — never took a knee and never failed to stand whenever they heard our national anthem being played."

"Colin has chosen to kneel for the national anthem as a protest to the continuing racial inequality in this country," Kaepernick's parents' statement read. "He has explained his reasons for this in multiple interviews, yet it seems some people still do not understand his point. For whatever reason, there are some who want to view this as an anti-military protest or an un-American stance. These views could not be further from the truth, but we know that people will believe what they wish to believe. The recent remarks (attacks) by Admiral Harris supported by the Pentagon are over the top, and we feel the desire to make a public statement in support of our son."

The Kaepernicks, who are white, adopted biracial Colin when he was a baby after his 19-year-old white mother gave him up for adoption. They said they were surprised when Kaepernick took a knee during the preseason, but the amount of racism and hatred directed at him made them see that racism isn't gone in America.

"Colin not only received terrible racist tweets, but also received letters directly to our home similar to that recently received by (Denver Broncos linebacker) Brandon Marshall," the family's statement read. "We were truly shocked at the amount of racist hatred out there! Until this had occurred, we had naively believed that the racial atmosphere in this country was far better than it actually is. Prayer and talks with our son gave us a much better understanding of the reason for his protest and how we should view it."

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March 1, 2017: Kaepernick, 49ers cutting ties is a long-overdue end to toxic relationship

By ​David Steele

It’s not the biggest aspect of Colin Kaepernick’s life that got overshadowed by his kneeling protests of last season. But in the national debate that ensued, it was easy to forget that his days as a 49er were numbered long before he made his protests public.

There’s no reason to forget it now, with Kaepernick officially opting out of his contract. Delete all the personal feelings one way or the other about the protest, and what bubbles back up is how toxic things were between him and the team dating back to Jim Harbaugh’s last season as coach.

This has been building for a while. Kneeling distracted everybody from it — in fact, it distracted everybody just months after the 49ers had shopped him around trying to satisfy his trade request.

This is just the inevitable taking place.

It doesn't necessarily slam the door on Kaepernick coming back, or even preclude yet another eager, optimistic attempt at bonding with yet another new head coach, new staff and new scheme — plus, for a change, a new front office. In the absolute strictest of football senses, Kyle Shanahan might really be just what Kaepernick needs (although the same was said a year ago about Chip Kelly, for whatever that’s worth).

But enough is enough. It’s a divorce that never got finalized, and the papers are at least getting signed now.

The crazy irony is that, while much of the league (usually under the cowardly cloak of anonymity) condemned Kaepernick’s protests and swore that they wanted no part of him, Kaepernick had no bigger supporter than 49ers owner Jed York, stood up for the QB's constitutional rights and donated to related causes.

As an organization, the 49ers all season long shut down talk that they were ready to drop him for being either a detriment to the team or an enemy of the people (to borrow a recent phrase from a certain politician). Not only did they refuse to inflict an on-field punishment as so many demanded, they made him a starter when it was obvious he was their best option.

Yet none of that washed away the ugliness that marked the last three years Kaepernick has been there.

It never obscured the chaos within the organization throughout that time — from Harbaugh clashing with York and then-general manager Trent Baalke, through the three coaches they’ve hired since pushing him out, to smears on Kaepernick’s character doled out by “insiders," to the clumsiness of his injury diagnosis in 2015, to the trade demand shenanigans of last offseason.

It had to end sometime. The fact that it didn’t end before last season managed to put Kaepernick and the 49ers in a non-football-related spotlight — otherwise, Ground Zero in the debate over police brutality, the oppression of people of color and the right to protest would have been someplace other than Santa Clara.

But it was there with the 49ers, during one of the very worst seasons in their storied history, with another coach being forced to walk the plank … and, thanks to an odd chain of events, with Kaepernick proving he was neither washed up as a player nor locker room poison.

All things considered in a depth-poor NFL quarterback landscape, that’s going to get Kaepernick some interest, and he’s much easier to acquire now than he was a year ago.

A team could do a whole lot worse, as a backup or even a starter, than a seven-year vet who’s been to a Super Bowl, turned in unforgettable postseason performances, recovered from serious injury to post a 90.7 rating and a 16-to-4 touchdown-interception ratio with almost zero talent around him … and is way tougher and more popular than many want to acknowledge.

Teams have done, and are doing, much worse than that.

It needs to be another team, though. Kaepernick and the 49ers can finally make a clean break. Besides York, he’s the last character in that soap opera to exit the stage.

It's time.

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March 9, 2017: Kaepernick to Seahawks? Don't be shocked

By ​Vinnie Iyer

Colin Kaepernick will not only opt out of his National Anthem protest, he is also about to opt out of his contract with the 49ers. Now prepare for him to end up with, of all teams, the Seahawks.

As weird as Seattle might sound because of Kaepernick's and San Francisco's history against their NFC West rival, it's the likeliest of unlikely destinations.

It would come with Kaepernick having to live with the disappointment of not being signed as a starting NFL quarterback. But it also would come with a great opportunity for the 29-year-old to get his career back on track, in the right place.

Kaepernick at one point looked like he and Russell Wilson would have many epic duels as strong-armed, mobile passers with championships on the line. It's hard to believe the 49ers-Seahawks classic NFC title game was played only three years ago, given what all has happened since.

Wilson led Seattle to a ring after the 2013 season, something Kaepernick fell just short of the season before. While Wilson and the 'Hawks have remained a conference contender, Kaepernick faded hard right along with the Niners' post-Jim Harbaugh freefall.

Before we get into that "other" thing that might keep Kaepernick from finding his ideal second-team scenario, the Seahawks can be a great benefit to him finding his way on the field again.

Kaepernick still has the basic skill set, with that arm and that mobility, to serve as an ideal seasoned backup to Wilson. That No. 2 role is currently held by second-year undrafted QB Trevone Boykin, an intriguing athletic talent who still is more of a developmental project than insurance.

Kaepernick could absorb many good things from Wilson by working with him in practice. Kaepernick's footwork, accuracy and mechanics all have taken big hits in his regression. Wilson, meanwhile, has pushed those aspects of his game to the top of the league.

The two used to be a lot different personalities as younger QBs. Kaepernick was Kaepernicking, and Wilson was Go Hawksing. Kaepernick has gone from his shoes to issues, while Wilson has traded bland for bold. Meeting in the middle, they could mesh well on the same depth chart.

Kaepernick also has lacked both reliable coaching and a comfortable supporting cast since Harbaugh left. Pete Carroll could provide the stability for him on the sidelines, and Darrell Bevell has the offense to maximize his abilities. The Seahawks are in desperate need of offensive line help, but they offer a diverse array of playmakers Kaepernick hasn't had since his early Niners starting QB days.

Here's the twist: Kaepernick, foiled often by the Seahawks' defense, has gained more respect from players on that unit. There was some Seattle solidarity with him during his national anthem protests, led by Jeremy Lane. Richard Sherman understood of what Kaepernick was trying to do. Michael Bennett gave his full support.

Kaepernick reportedly won't be protesting like that next season, but many potential future coaches and teammates still will feel they can't stand by what he already has done. Kaepernick doesn't need to worry about that with the Seahawks.

Kaepernick already has a great challenge in finding another team because of how he's played football of late, including some durability concerns. Combined with the controversy, the reality is that his free agency options are limited.

It will take a progressive team with a particular need, and the Seahawks best fit the profile. The rest is on Kaepernick accepting that there's a good chance he isn't perceived as anyone's No. 1 anymore. Sure, it's a demotion, but it's also a favorable — and maybe only — road to redemption and resurrection.

Kaepernick didn't seem to care that his actions and political statements would hurt his future earning power in the NFL. If he can accept taking lesser money, he shouldn't see settling for second in Seattle as a lesser move, but rather a necessary one that can turn into a blessing.

The Seahawks' job for several seasons was to stop Kaepernick. Don't be shocked if they're soon charged with restarting him as their backup.

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March 18, 2017: Is Kaepernick being blackballed by NFL teams? Prove he's not

By David Steele

It seemed a little early to condemn NFL teams for freezing out Colin Kaepernick. Barely a week had gone by in free agency. With one exception — albeit a grotesque, borderline-obscene one — not many quarterbacks had been coming off of the market. Bleacher Report’s Friday story on how front-office types still want nothing to do with him for his protests during the national anthem shined another light on it.

Still, it’s a long offseason. It only takes one team rowing against the tide. And, again, even the Jay Cutlers were still looking for work, never mind a part-time starter fighting against a scarlet letter.

Then, this week, Nick Foles signed with the Eagles.

EJ Manuel signed with the Raiders.

Geno Smith signed with the Giants, soon after Josh Johnson, last year's backup, re-signed.

Josh McCown set up a visit with the Jets.

And, of course, this all was after Mike Glennon signed with the Bears for $18.5 million guaranteed.

Come on. Stop it. Do not ever say Colin Kaepernick can't get a job because he's not good enough.

Think of a better excuse. Think of a better lie. Hey, even try telling the truth — this time, on the record.

But don’t feed everybody the "It’s because Kaepernick is a trash quarterback" line. Everybody’s full, thank you.

Now, the Bleacher Report explanation is much more plausible — and NFL executives no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt that their decisions are football-related.

They might be able to get away with them being money-related, except that there is nothing definitive about what Kaepernick wants to get paid. Then again … $18.5 million for Mike Glennon. To be a starter.

It's not worth the electricity needed to type it, or to trot out the stats that say Kaepernick was not terrible in his 11 games last season. It’s not worth repeating that he had not played in a year because of multiple surgeries and is healthier now than he has been in two seasons. Not worth the reminder that the 49ers’ new management is rebuilding the entire roster from scratch, which tells you Kaepernick wasn’t exactly working with the same weapons Matt Ryan was.

Of course this isn't about football. It’s about maintaining the status quo, or what NFL teams believe that to be. It's about not ruffling feathers, or at least the feathers NFL teams care about ruffling.

It's about at least one team in the market for a quarterback, the Giants, with a coach who's on the record as being "disappointed" in Kaepernick’s protest (at the same time he eagerly defended a kicker who abused his wife). The two signings they made essentially scream, "Anybody But Kaepernick."

And it’s about one nameless AFC general manager who took this to its furthest extreme and told Bleacher Report that he’s afraid "Trump will tweet about the team," and that some teams want no part of that kind of attention.

Imagine that. Kaepernick was the one labeled a coward in so many places for so many reasons last season — including, implausibly, for making it known that he would no longer do the same protest at games next season.

That marked Kaepernick a coward, yet teams are scared of a hot take from the president, and let that guide their football decisions.

Meanwhile, those who said the rich, entitled jock really wasn’t sacrificing anything with his kneeling must be aware by now exactly what he sacrificed.

Until someone proves it wrong, he has sacrificed his NFL career. Teams find Manuel, Foles and Smith to be more reasonable options at what they’ve made clear is the most important position in their sport.

NFL teams are free to prove that wrong. So far, early in free agency, they haven’t.

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March 26, 2017: Kaepernick still has six possible routes to NFL employment

By Vinnie Iyer

Colin Kaepernick still has the skill set to be an NFL quarterback somewhere in 2017. But between his regression as a highly-paid starter and the controversy he now carries with his bold off-field stances, his value as an NFL free agent — fair or not — has dwindled down to a cheap backup option for only a handful of teams.

Whether or not you believe Kaepernick is being blackballed by the entire league, there's no doubt that many teams, for either one or both the above reasons, have no interest in signing the former 49er.

From the top, there are many teams that don't need Kaepernick because they already have good money invested in a top-flight starters and viable No. 2 options. Then there are those owners who don't want Kaepernick representing their organizations, period. Then there are those franchises in big markets that don't want the media attention, and others in smaller markets that don't want to rattle a fan base with Kaepernick's political leanings.

Taking into account all those variables eliminates about 81 percent of the league, or 26 teams. With the opportunity for teams to draft QBs a little more than a month away, it's probably down to these half-dozen clubs to employ Kaepernick.

Buffalo Bills

Tyrod Taylor is back on the fold as Buffalo's starter, but it also moved on for good from 2013 first-rounder EJ Manuel, who signed as the Raiders' third-stringer. Manuel drew a lot of comparisons to Kaepernick at one point, and his departure sets up second-year fourth-rounder Cardale Jones as the top backup.

Kaepernick, with his strong arm and athleticism, is built to be a good No. 2 behind Taylor. When Bills offensive coordinator Rick Dennison held the same role for Denver last offseason, the Broncos took a long look at Kap as a No. 1. This would be much less of a pressure situation to take that chance.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay tendered Ryan Griffin with the intent of elevating him to Jameis Winston's top backup in the wake of Mike Glennon's shockingly lucrative free-agent deal with Chicago. Geno Smith was intriguing for that role with the Bucs before he signed to be Eli Manning's understudy with the Giants.

Rather than the Bucs going with Ryan Fitzpatrick or Jay Cutler as what they see is what they'll get, Kaepernick would give coach Dirk Koetter someone he can use his offensive acumen to re-mold. Kaepernick can work well in the vertical passing game and is set up to bond with both Winston and his go-to receiver, Mike Evans.

Arizona Cardinals

Bruce Arians and Arizona know how good Kaepernick can be in his "scary groove" and even were impressed with the QB when he was off during his final season in San Francisco. It's also clear, whether it's Clemson's Deshaun Watson early in the draft or someone else, that the Cards want to deal in a more athletic, strong-armed passer to succeed pure-pocket Carson Palmer soon.

This is only one of two options that could work out for Kaepernick to stay in the NFC West.

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City traded Nick Foles to Philadelphia and now is looking at Tyler Bray behind Alex Smith on the depth chart. It would be weird to see Smith and Kaepernick reunited with re-reversed roles away from the Niners, but that's why it also makes some sense.

Kaepernick has some Donovan McNabb in him for Andy Reid's offense, and Smith has a history of mentoring Kaepernick. Those relationships would be good for Kaepernick to repair his on-field reputation.

Detroit Lions

Kaepernick's strongest advocate remains his former 49ers coach, Jim Harbaugh. The Lions have a Harbaugh pupil from Michigan, Jake Rudock, as their current top backup to Matthew Stafford. Kaepernick would be a big upgrade in talent and experience.

Detroit under Bob Quinn isn't shy about making bold moves with both rookie and veteran personnel. It helps that Harbaugh is right up the road in Ann Arbor to further vouch for Kaepernick and provide support as needed. There's no doubt that Kap's arm and efficiency would be a good starting point for Jim Bob Cooter to "re-develop" him into a more consistently accurate passer.

Seattle Seahawks

There are many reasons to like Kaepernick joining his old archrivals in Seattle as Russell Wilson's No. 2 ahead of undrafted second-year QB Trevone Boykin. In case you missed it, they were laid out in detail here.

In case you were wondering, this still would be the best situation for which Kaepernick could ask at this late point in free agency.

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April 20, 2017: Kaepernick makes Time's '100 most influential' list

By Jordan Heck

Time magazine has released its list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2017, and former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is featured as an "icon."

His former coach, Jim Harbaugh, wrote the article that went along with the QB's selection:

The quarterback stirred up discussion last year when he decided to take a knee during the national anthem in the preseason. At first he did so quietly, but then he was asked about it by NFL.com and revealed his actions were a protest. 

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick said. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Immediately there was a reaction. Even Harbaugh, who applauds Kaepernick in this piece, was against his former player's actions at first.

People from every outlet seemed to have an opinion on the matter, and the protest went international. Other NFL players joined in, then high school and college football players joined and eventually athletes in other sports took part.

Not everyone took a knee like Kaepernick; some raised a fist. Others agreed with his thinking, but not with his actions. Many opposed his views all together. But at the end of the day, almost everyone had an opinion.

Fast forward to 2017 and now Kaepernick is a free agent and many believe politics have played a role in him being without a job. 

Whether you agree with his decision or not, there's no denying Kaepernick influenced the lives of many over the past year. He was a trending topic for months on end, and his name expanded beyond the football realm.

Other sports figures to make the list include: Simone Biles, Tom Brady, Neymar, Theo Epstein and LeBron James.

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May 19, 2017: Bucs sign Ryan Fitzpatrick, leave Kaepernick with one NFL option

By Vinnie Iyer

You can now add Ryan Fitzpatrick to the list of NFL quarterbacks signed before Colin Kaepernick this offseason.

Unfortunately, with Fitzpatrick going to the Buccaneers to serve as Jameis Winston's top backup — replacing Mike Glennon and ahead of Ryan Griffin —Kaepernick is down to the Seahawks or bust to be on an NFL roster in 2017.

Since we broke down Kaepernick's final six routes to such employment in late March, we've had the 2017 NFL draft and several more waves of free agency. File Fitzpatrick under Blaine Gabbert, who got a one-year deal from the Cardinals last week.

That leaves the Seahawks as the only NFL team that didn't make a move for a QB, and still also has an issue at QB. Undrafted second-year man Treyvone Boykin, with his two-arrest offseason, remains the No. 2 to Russell Wilson.

At one point, it seemed like Seattle was a shocking landing spot for Kaepernick. Now logically, beyond all the other reasons why Kaepernick is still unsigned, it's the only spot.

Just in case you missed any QB move, big or small, let's circle back to the Seahawks by seeing what every other NFL team has handled the position this offseason.

Elsewhere in the NFC West, after the 49ers chose to not to bring back Kaepernick or Gabbert, they signed Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley and drafted C.J. Beathard. The Cardinals got Gabbert behind Carson Palmer, and the Rams elevated Sean Mannion behind Jared Goff.

In the NFC East, the Cowboys get Kellen Moore healthy to be the new No. 2 with Tony Romo gone. The Giants got insurance in Geno Smith and the future in Davis Webb. The Redskins had to spend even more on Kirk Cousins, so stuck with Colt McCoy. The Eagles brought back Nick Foles to back up Carson Wentz.

In the NFC South, Derek Anderson is one of the league's better backups for Cam Newton. You just heard about Fitzpatrick to the Bucs, and the Saints brought back Chase Daniel. The Falcons re-signed Matt Schaub behind Matt Ryan for two more years.

Forget about the NFC North, too. The Bears replaced Jay Cutler, Hoyer and Barkley with Mike Glennon and Mitchell Trubisky. The Packers know Brett Hundley becomes a free agent in '18, but they're OK with him for one more year behind Aaron Rodgers. The Vikings got Case Keenum. The Lions drafted Brad Kaaya.

The AFC doesn't look much better. In the East, the Patriots kept Jimmy Garoppolo and the Jets signed Josh McCown. The Dolphins still have Matt Moore behind Ryan Tannehill, and the Bills drafted Nathan Peterman after keeping Tyrod Taylor and Cardale Jones.

In the South, the Texans drafted Deshaun Watson and the Titans re-signed Matt Cassel. The Colts have one more year of Scott Tolzien and the Jaguars have one more year of Chad Henne.

The AFC North gets bleaker for Kaepernick. The Browns added DeShone Kizer and Brock Osweiler. The Steelers kept Landry Jones and drafted Josh Dobbs. The Ravens re-signed Ryan Mallett, and the Bengals didn't trade AJ McCarron.

That leaves the AFC West. Broncos took a flyer on Chad Kelly very late in the draft, but stood pat with Trevor Siemian vs. Paxton Lynch.after Romo chose television. The Chargers re-signed Kellen Clemens behind ironman Phliip Rivers. The Raiders added EJ Manuel behind Derek Carr and Connor Cook. Finally, the Chiefs went with another strong-armed passer who could have played professional baseball, but it was rookie first-rounder Patrick Mahomes.

That leaves it all in the Seahawks' hands. And Kaepernick has some competition there, too, as Seattle is also considering Robert Griffin III.

The why of Kaepernick will keep being hotly debated. But it's clear where the where is now.

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May 30, 2017: Giants co-owner John Mara says Kaepernick brings 'emotional issue'

By Kirstie Chiappelli

As Colin Kaepernick remains seemingly blackballed, one NFL team owner is shedding some light on his misfortune from a team's perspective.

Giants co-owner John Mara acknowledged that adding the former 49ers quarterback to New York's squad was never considered an option due to the fan backlash his signing would inevitably create.

"All my years being in the league, I never received more emotional mail from people than I did about that issue," Mara told The MMQB. "If any of your players ever do that, we are never coming to another Giants game. It wasn't one or two letters. It was a lot. It's an emotional, emotional issue for a lot of people, more so than any other issue I've run into."

It is widely believed that Kaepernick has not been signed because he knelt during the national anthem before 49ers games last season to protest what he deems the oppression of minorities in this country. Despite being viewed as a distraction, the veteran still managed to draw interest from the Seahawks as a potential backup for Russell Wilson.

Kaepernick visited Seattle on May 25 after opting out of his contract with San Francisco in March, although he still remains unsigned.

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June 5, 2017: NFL fans have questions after Seahawks sign QB who isn't Kaepernick

By Jordan Heck

The Seahawks worked out a number of quarterbacks in recent weeks, and the most high-profile of them was Colin Kaepernick. Coach Pete Carroll talked him up, but decided to go in a different direction when the team announced the signing of Austin Davis.

If you're wondering "Who?" you aren't alone. The 28-year-old quarterback has been a journeyman, bouncing from the Rams, Browns and Broncos in the last three years. He actually received some hype in 2014 as a member of the Rams when he had back-to-back games of 300+ yards and three touchdowns. Outside of that, however, he's been marginal.

Of course Davis isn't as sexy of a name as Kaepernick, so there wasn't much excitement about his signing. Instead of commenting on who the Seahawks did sign, the story instead turned to who wasn't signed — Kaepernick.

The news shouldn't be too much of a surprise considering Carroll's comments last week. He indicated the Seahawks wouldn't be offering him a contract, but said another team in this league would be lucky to have him.

"Colin's been a fantastic football player, and he's going to continue to be," Carroll said last week. "At this time, we didn't do anything with it, but we know where he is and who he is and we had a chance to understand him much more so. He's a starter in this league. And we have a starter. But he's a starter in this league, and I can't imagine that someone won't give him a chance to play."

According to Seahawks beat writer Gregg Ball, Carroll's assessment that Kaepernick is a starting QB is the exact reason why they didn't sign him.

Kaepernick's free agency has been a hot-button issue this offseason as fans and analysts wonder why he's still without a team. He played respectably last season, and several other quarterbacks with poorer stat lines have found a home since.

The Seahawks have been the only team so far to even give him a workout this year, and heading into training camp, it could end up being too late for Kaepernick this season.

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June 21, 2017: Former NFL GM: Why I would sign Kaepernick ... under a few conditions

By Jeff Diamond

To those who believe Colin Kaepernick's status as an unemployed NFL quarterback is due to his political statements, I'm here to tell you they’re only part of his problem. Kaepernick remains unsigned because he has a triple whammy working against him.

Despite the issues Kaepernick faces, however, I believe he will be signed no later than the early stages of the upcoming regular season. If I were an NFL general manager today with a shaky starter or a questionable backup, I certainly would consider the 29-year-old veteran.

Any of the following issues could derail a player's chances to be signed. The combination of them is why Kaepernick has made just one team visit in free agency.

Problem 1: Most GMs consider Kaepernick a descending player whose best years were 2012 and 2013, when he led the 49ers to the Super Bowl and then back to the NFC title game. The perception among many is he went downhill when Jim Harbaugh left after the 2014 season; that his mobility might be declining while his passing ability remains suspect. (His pass completion percentage averaged 59.1 percent over the past two years while the league leaders were close to 70 percent.) READ MORE

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July 16, 2017: Roger Goodell continues to say Kaepernick's unemployment is strictly football-related

By Thomas Lott

Roger Goodell either believes teams don't feel Colin Kaepernick can help their teams get better, or he thinks the former 49ers quarterback hasn't earned a shot at another job in the NFL.

Either way