Colin Kaepernick has been out of the NFL for seven seasons, but his desire to return to the field is as strong as ever. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who last played in 2017, recently spoke to Sky Sports about his ongoing commitment to getting back into the league.
“We’re still training, still pushing,” Kaepernick said. “Hopefully, we can get one of these team owners to open up.”
For Kaepernick, returning to pro football would be the culmination of a lifelong dream.
“It’s something I’ve trained my whole life for,” he shared. “To step back on the field would be a major moment, a major accomplishment for me. I believe I can bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship.”
Despite his passion, the reality of Kaepernick’s situation is sobering. Many, including some in the media, believe the NFL has effectively closed the door on his return. In 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the league, accusing them of colluding to keep him out due to his protests during the national anthem. The case was eventually settled, but the narrative that Kaepernick was blackballed persists.
Now at 36, with his 37th birthday approaching in November, the odds seem stacked against him. His last game was on January 1, 2017, and many believe that too much time has passed for a comeback to be realistic. Even Jim Harbaugh, his former coach and one of his biggest supporters, hasn’t been able to secure a spot for him, despite his return to the NFL and organizing a high-profile workout for Kaepernick in 2022.
While the dream of returning to the NFL may be fading, Kaepernick isn’t giving up on football altogether.
He’s expressed interest in playing flag football in the 2028 Olympics when he’ll be 41.
“Hopefully we’ll be out there,” he said. “We’re gonna work on some things, see if we can make it in there. But I would love to be out there.”
Colin the Lord will answer your prayers, keep your head up and never give up.