Colin Kaepernick previously admitted he just wants an opportunity to get back into the NFL …
Kaepernick has not been involved in an NFL game for almost 6 years now.
And now, he’s written to the Jets asking for an opportunity.
Scroll on for all the details…
Kaepernick, who was the first player to take a knee during the national anthem, has not been part of the NFL since 2016.
At the time, the San Francisco 49ers made the decision not to re-sign him and although no one has taken the chance since then, Kaepernick has not given up his training.
In an interview last year, ahead of the release of his Netflix biopic series, Colin in Black and White, Kaepernick spoke with Ebony Magazine about his training regimen.
The regimen sees him wake up at 5 AM, 6 times per week so he can train.
When asked if he is still ready to return to NFL, Kaepernick responded:
“Absolutely. I am still up at 5 a.m. training 5, 6 days a week making sure I’m prepared to take a team to a Super Bowl again. That’s not something I will ever let go of, regardless of the actions of thirty-two teams and their partners to deny me employment. The same way I was persistent in high school is the same way I’m gonna be persistent here.”
“And you’re gonna have to continue to deny me and do so in a public way,” he added.
“And you’re gonna expose yourself by that, but it won’t be because I’m not ready or not prepared. But in that process, I’m also not gonna let you bury my future.”
It’s clear that Kaepernick has always held out hope of returning to the NFL.
So much so that he recently shared that he’s “still working” to get back into the NFL.
Kaepernick recently shared a video to his Instagram account showing him practicing.
Alongside the video, he wrote: “Still Working.”
Following Kaepernick’s post, ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared that a source told him the star is “in the best shape of his life.”
“He wants to play,” the source told Schefter. “He’s ready play. He would be a great fit for teams with QB vacancies to fill who want to win a Super Bowl.”
Of course, many fans would love to see Kaepernick back on the field.
However, some have questioned whether the league would bring him back after he sued them.
But, it doesn’t seem like that is stopping Kaepernick from trying…
He has urged NFL teams to give him a tryout.
According to TMZ, Kaepernick urged NFL teams to give him a tryout following a training session in Seattle with Aaron Fuller.
It comes as he has been visiting several cities all over the US to work out with NFL and college stars, the outlet reports.
In a video shared on Twitter by Niko Tamurian, Kaepernick is asked what his message to the NFL would be.
Kaepernick responded that he wants an opportunity show people what he can do.
“I think more than anything, is again, where my skills are, the best way to tell is bring me in for a workout,” he said.
“We have no expectations of what teams will do, but we just want the opportunity to walk in the door and show them what I can do.”
“And, I think my talent, my skill set will speak for itself,” he added.
Kaepernick has gone as far as to say he’s willing to play backup quarterback to get back out there.
In an interview for I AM ATHLETE, the ex-NFL star recently shared his hopes for the future…
He shared: “I just need that opportunity to walk through the door.”
He was asked by Brandon Marshall if he was willing to take a smaller role within the NBA like Carmelo Anthony…
He replied: “I know I have to find my way back in. So, if I have to come in as a backup, that’s fine,” Kaepernick told NFL stars; Chad Johnson, Adam Jones, and Brandon Marshall.
“But that’s not where I’m staying. And when I prove that I’m a starter, I want to be able to step on the field as such.
“I just need that opportunity to walk through the door,” he added.
It seemed that door had finally been opened for him, as Adam Schefter announced that The Raiders had scheduled a workout with him…
After which there could be a possibility of him being signed to the team.
Back in April, The Raiders owner Mark Davis said he was always willing to give the player a chance, and that he supported him.
“[Kaepernick] sacrificed a lot of the things that he could’ve been doing in his life to get a message across about police violence and equity and inclusion in America, and I stand by that.”
“If our coaches and general manager want to bring him in or want him to be the quarterback on this team,” he said, “I would welcome him with open arms.”
However, after his workout with the Raiders, it looked like he’d totally blown his opportunity.
According to ex-NFL player Warren Sapp, Kaepernick had “one of the workouts ever” with the team.
In a recent interview with VLAD TV, Sapp claimed Kaepernick’s workout was a “disaster.”
“I heard it was a disaster. I heard it was one of the workouts ever.
“I’m wondering how the hell this happened, and the tape didn’t get out, right?” he said.
After this, the Raiders decided not to sign the QB.
And now, Kaepernick has set his sights on a brand new team.
According to TMZ, he’s written to the New York Jets asking to be signed.
An excerpt from the letter reads: “As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I’m writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me; I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad.”
However, Kaepernick also adds that: “I am sure of my ability to provide you with an elite QB option if, God forbid, QB1 goes down.”
What do you think of his move?