Back in 2016, then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during the national anthem, ahead of his preseason debut against the Green Bay Packers.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppressed black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said at the time of his explanation for not standing. “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 are getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Though Kaepernick initially stood alone in protest of police brutality and injustices against black and brown people, his continued effort to stand up for what’s right eventually catapulted into a nationwide, multi-platform movement against social and racial injustices in America.
After the season, Kaepernick opted out of the final year of his contract with hopes of getting picked up by a new team. However as the movement grew, the baller’s future in the league became less and less promising. In fact, Kaepernick still has yet to receive an offer, which ultimately led to his grievance against NFL owners for
collusion, as he claimed the owners worked together to keep him out of the league over his fight for simple civil rights.
But now, as the former baller approaches his second year of unemployment, one general manager is looking to clear his name in the entire blackballing charade.
In a recent press conference, Broncos GM John Elway opened up about bringing a veteran quarterback to back his starter, but maintained Kaepernick is not an option.
“I said this a while ago,” Elway said, “Colin had his chance to be here. We offered him a contract [and] he didn’t take it.”
“I don’t know if I’m legally able to say this, but he’s had his chance to be here,” Elway added, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Atlantic. “He passed it.”
Although Elway’s statement suggested Kaepernick passed up a deal amid his claims of being blackballed, the GM was actually referring to Kaep’s potential trade to the team in 2016.
After Kaepernick refused to take a pay cut and his team refused to pay off part of his contract, the deal fell through. However, that exchange occurred several months before Kaerpnick even began his demonstration.
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