Donald Trump Says Colin Kaepernick Should Get Another Shot in the NFL: “If He Has the Playing Ability”

Colin Kaepernick is finally getting the appreciation he deserves, even though it took nearly four years.

At a 2016 preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback began kneeling during the country’s National Anthem and later told the press “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

The bold move created a widespread controversy among athletes, owners, and politicians; some praised and joined the act, while others harshly criticized it, saying it was a sign of “disrespect.” However, it did not discourage him from doing what he felt was right. The former NFL player used his high-status platform to bring awareness to issues of African American’s and was even willing to lose his NFL career behind it, sadly he did.

“If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right,” he said.

But now many are finally seeing why  Kaepernick was so passionate about his stance. The recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and now Rayshard Brooks not only spotlight the prevalent racial disparities and systematic racism that target black people in America, but they also show nothing has changed since Kaepernick attempted to bring awareness when he first took a knee. But this time around, corporations and organizations have chosen to join the movement for racial justice given the recent events rather than denounce it like they did in 2016. Leaders are voicing their awareness and acknowledging that it is time to join together to evolve and progress into a society based on equality and justice.

Even Donald Trump has lightened up. On Wednesday, Sinclair reporter Scott Thurman asked Trump if he thought Kaepernick deserved another shot to play in the National Football League. Trump surprisingly said, “if he deserves it, he should, if he has the playing ability. His playing wasn’t up to snuff.” He added, “the answer is absolutely I would, as far as kneeling, I would love to see him get another shot, but obviously, he has to be able to play well,” he continued. “If he can’t play well, I think that would be very unfair.”

The turnaround statement comes after Trump’s 2017 speech when he vehemently opposed athletes kneeling and referred to them as “sons of bitches” that should be fired by NFL owners.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who at one point voiced his disapproval of Kaepernick’s 2016 actions, has also had a change of heart. On Monday, he told ESPN that he would not only support a team’s decision to bring the former NFL player on, but he would also encourage it.

“Well, listen, if he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it’s going to take a team to make that decision,” Goodell said. “But I welcome that, support a club making that decision, and encourage them to do that.”

Last year, the New York Post reported that the NFL’s initial response to players kneeling was that “players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.” But eventually, the matter became a bigger issue and ultimately became the reason why Kaepernick was blackballed from the league.

Kaepernick remained protesting throughout the 2016 season, his last game in the NFL was on January 1, 2017. He has been a free agent ever since. According to CNN, Kaepernick accused the league of conspiring against him after no NFL team signed him for the following season, an accusation they deny. In 2019, the NFL reached a settlement agreement with Kaepernick and his former teammate Eric Reid, who also took a knee.

As for Trump, the good words from the Housing and Urban Development’s Secretary, Dr. Ben Carson, may have softened Trump’s heart. Earlier this week, he said he urged Trump to take a different stance on kneeling.

“Well, I don’t think he has manifested as much animosity in that region lately,” Carson, the only black member of the President’s Cabinet, said during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. “And I think we just continue to work him. He’ll get there.”