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Despite arguably being one of the best quarterbacks available in free agency this offseason, former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick hasn’t been generating a lot of interest. There’s a belief Kaepernick is being black balled from the league following his demonstrations during the 2016 season. Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the National Anthem last year generated a lot of discussion.
Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins showed solidarity towards Kaepernick’s cause with a demonstration of his own. During the anthem each week, Jenkins would raise his fist in the air. Now that it appears Kaepernick might be getting unfairly ignored by the league, some players are speaking out in support of him. Jenkins is one of those players.
hhhhmmmmm... @nfl GM's you can try to act like talent is the reason @Kaepernick7 isn't employed ...but we know the real reason. https://t.co/SEYHpc2K7o
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) March 21, 2017
@MikeSielski if you're on the market searching for a backup QB I don't see how you don't at least "consider" him.
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) March 22, 2017
@MikeSielski mind you, I'm only one year removed from having Tim Tebow as a teammate. So I know how this game works.
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) March 22, 2017
Jenkins wasn’t the only Eagles player to speak out, though. New Philadelphia wideout Torrey Smith did as well. Smith was Kaepernick’s teammate in San Francisco for two seasons.
At least 64 QBS are in the NFL...Kap doesn't have a job....but some folks who he is better than do pic.twitter.com/k92jGNl6ZX
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 22, 2017
Colin Kaepernick is not currently employed. However, his skill set vastly exceeds others who were on the market. https://t.co/hghtIYVcHN
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 22, 2017
Not saying he is the greatest but he shouldn't be kicked out for football reasons yet....just my opinion
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 22, 2017
I say that with me having the 2 worst years of my career out west...no bias
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 22, 2017
There’s no question Kaepernick hasn’t played great in recent seasons. But despite going 3-16 in his last 19 starts, he’s thrown only nine interceptions compared to 22 touchdowns and a 88.5 passer rating. Again, not great, but that’s at least good backup quality.
Adding to the idea that Kaepernick is being snubbed for reasons other than his football ability is the fact the President of the United States is actively speaking out against him. President Donald Trump bragged that he knows NFL owners won’t sign Kaepernick because of the backlash that team would get from Trump and his supporters. Trump has been critical of Kaepernick’s kneeling demonstration in the past.
It’s possible Kaepernick’s market is taking some time to develop. But if he doesn’t get signed eventually, it will be very hard to believe he’s being snubbed solely for football reasons.
For as much as people love saying “Stick to sports!” it sure doesn’t seem like that’s what NFL owners are doing here. A pair of Eagles players believe what’s happening to Kaepernick is wrong and they’re expressing their opinions accordingly.