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Colin Kaepernick gave a rare interview recently, sitting down to talk on the “I Am Athlete” show hosted by Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Adam “Pacman” Jones and Brandon Marshall.
It did not lack for substance. Marshall convincingly played the part of an NFL general manager sitting down to hear a pitch from Kaepernick for why his team should give the QB, exiled years ago for daring to speak out about racism and inequality, another shot. Kaepernick’s answers to that line of questioning are worth a read.
The bit of “news” that resonated most, though, tells you pretty much all you need to know about this particular chapter in NFL history. Kaepernick admitted something that a lot of people wanted him to admit for a long time, because in their heads, so full of machinations meant to make all of this something other than racist kickback to somebody pointing out racism, this was a real thing that mattered:
“I know I have to find my way back in. So, if I have to come in as a backup, that’s fine. But that’s not where I’m staying, and when I prove that I’m a starter, I want to step onto the field as such.”
“Let me come in and compete. Let me come in, compete, show you what I can do.”
The idea that Kaepernick needed to say this out loud has persisted because it’s been easy for bad-faith actors all along to say that he wouldn’t accept a diminished role, that he had certain demands related to returning and that he would become a problem if he didn’t get his way.
That’s so contorted it’s hard to even deal with. Kaepernick is the only person this standard is being applied to, and that’s how you know.
We’re right in the thick of DRAFT SZN. You reckon any prospects were badgered about their ability to acquiesce to a limited role? “Yes, sir, I only want to see the field 12 times a game, playing gunner on the punt team is my highest aspiration!” You think Andy Dalton has to promise to not make better throws than the young QBs he’s been paired with in recent years?
That’s simply not how the NFL works. It isn’t anything close to a meritocracy, as so many claim, but it’s definitely full of Type A competitors looking to push other Type A competitors. There are guys who got relegated to long-term backup spots at some point, and who fulfill those duties gracefully. But none of them relish that. None of them sit around saying: You know what, I *am* indeed only the 47th best QB in this league, and so it is.
They ALL think they have more they can show, if given the chance. That’s the culture every coach wants in the locker room, too. If a prospect did say they would be entirely content with a backup role and never push for more, it would be seen as a character flaw.
Yet somehow a perceived inability to do this very thing that would be looked down upon is what has kept Kaepernick out of the league?
Kaepernick knows this is all cow poop. He knows he’ll never get a shot again. Or, on the off chance that he does, it will come in a situation where he’s given little to no opportunity to actually succeed. The league’s owners decided he crossed a line by taking a knee, infuriating a certain set of sponsors and fans that they for whatever reason value more than others, and they’re never going to let it go.
Quick hits: Get to know Roki Sasaki… Freddie Freeman goes yard against the Braves… Gambling is making fans more angry… And more!
— Andrew Joseph brings you the latest exploits of Roki Sasaki, Japanese pitching phenom.
— Of course, Freddie Freeman did this. Of course.
— Here’s an interesting theory: The increased vitriol spewing from fans at live games might be fueled by lost bets.
— Retired NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth is fast at running marathons, too.