The aftermath of Colin Kaepernick's NFL workout is...insane. Go inside for reports about Jay-Z's feelings about it, why Kap wore a Kunta Kinte t-shirt and why folks are split about all the last minute chaos around the workout inside...
The NFL vs. Colin Kaepernick saga continues!
As you know, Colin Kaepernick was set to show off his skills in a private workout for the NFL at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga after three years of not playing in the league. News of the workout came suddenly, and the terms of the workout seemed as though the league could have just been trying to pull a fast one over Kap – at least – that what his team believes. For starters, the workout was scheduled on a Saturday when NFL workouts are typically scheduled on Tuesday. Tuesday is the typical day to ensure certain personnel would be able to attend.
The drama started when Kap asked the NFL to push the workout back - on the day of - in order for more NFL representatives to be in attendance. The league denied his requests and basically let him know this was his shot to try out to re-enter the league. Take it or leave it.
The (understandable) trust issues are severe. One of the issues Kap’s team reportedly had with the NFL is that they weren’t allowing any media coverage. Not only that, the NFL suggested that Kap’s team would be prohibited from filming the workout, which was an issue because Kap’s team was concerned the footage would get edited down to his worst throws and that would be the footage sent to the 32 teams. Issues between Kap and the league weren’t resolved before the scheduled 3pm workout on Saturday, so Kap and his team decided they would host their own workout – at an Atlanta area high school over an hour away from the scheduled NFL post.
Kap's reps released a statement prior to the scheduled workout saying the former QB took issue with "an unusual liability waiver that addresses employment-related issues" requested by the NFL. Meanwhile, the NFL claims the waiver was "standard." The statement said in part:
"Additionally, Mr. Kaepernick requested all media be allowed into the workout to observe and film it and for an independent film crew to be there to ensure transparency. The NFL denied this request. Based on the prior conduct by the league office, Mr. Kaepernick simply asks for a transparent and open process which is why a new location has been selected for today. Mr. Kaepernick looks forward to seeing the representatives from the clubs today."
Before the workout, it was reported at least 11 - at most 25 - teams would be present during the workout. According to sources, only 6 teams showed up for the workout at the high school.
Turns out, there were no NFL execs that ranked high enough to issue a signing or secondary workout:
It's being reported Jay-Z, who allegedly had influence over the league's decision to schedule the workout for Colin, is PISSED at Kap because he feels (according to sources) like the former 49ers quarterback turned a "legitimate workout" into a publicity stunt. According to sportscaster Dan Patrick, the rap mogul allegedly pressured the league into scheduling the sanctioned workout after receiving backlash from his partnership with the league.
Kap's best throw of the night, without question pic.twitter.com/WtsgumqPrH
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 16, 2019
Never one to shy away from making his voice heard without saying a word, Kap showed up to the workout he scheduled wearing a Kunta Kinte shirt, the name of the main character in "Roots: The Saga of an American Family," Alex Haley's 1976 novel. The novel became the basis for the 1977 ABC miniseries "Roots."
In the series, Kunta Kinte was kidnapped from Africa and forced into slavery. His master renamed him "Toby." He tried to escape several times, but was caught each time. His master then ended up cutting half of his foot off to prevent another escape.
After the workout, Kap reportedly told scouts in attendance, “When you go back, tell your owners to stop being scared.”
Kaepernick thanks scouts from Washington, New York Jets and Kansas City and says: “When you go back, tell your owners to stop being scared.” pic.twitter.com/UMLSrIcn09
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) November 16, 2019
Here's a clip of Kap speaking after the workout below:
Here's his full statement he said post-workout below:
"Let me start by saying, I appreciate y'all coming out. That means a lot to me. Our biggest thing with everything today is making sure we had transparency with what went on. We weren't getting that elsewhere, so we came out here.
"It's important that y'all are here. Y'all been attacked for the last three years, you continue to be attacked. We appreciate what y'all do, we appreciate you being here today, we appreciate the work you do for the people in telling the truth. That's what we want in everything.
"I've been ready for three years. I've been denied for three years. We all know why I came out here today and showed it in front of everybody. We have nothing to hide.
"So we're waiting for the 32 owners, the 32 teams, Roger Goodell, all of them to stop running, stop running from the truth, stop running from the people. Around here, we're ready to play, we're ready to go anywhere, my agent Jeff Nalley is ready to talk to any team. I'll interview with any team at any time.
"I've been ready. I'm staying ready. And I'll continue to be ready. To all the people that came out today to support, I appreciate y'all, I love y'all. To the people that aren't here, I'm thinking of you, I appreciate you supporting from where you are. We'll continue to give you updates as we hear. We'll be waiting to hear from Roger Goodell, the NFL, 32 teams. We'll let you know if we hear from them.
"The ball's in their court. We're ready to go."
Folks are split about the whole situation - some are #TeamKap and others feel like the NFL didn't do anything wrong:
Kap's workout sparked a war of words between Colin's homie/former teammate/Panthers player Eric Reid (who settled his collusion lawsuit against the league with Colin back in February and was there at the workout) and ESPN's "First Take" analyst Stephen A. Smith.
Watch it unfold below:
.@stephenasmith Tap dancing for the NFL like . Damn straight Colin wants to control the narrative! He supposed to trust the organization that blackballed him and has done absolutely nothing in good faith??? Born on Tuesday, just not last Tuesday. https://t.co/EKztmcrDbu pic.twitter.com/gz0xnDe10e
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) November 17, 2019
Man, please. You embarrass yourself @E_Reid35 every single time you open your mouth. You — of all people — talking of tap dancing when you’re the one collecting a check from the very institution you collect a check from. You @E_Reid35, who takes a knee — supposedlyfor brothers —
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 17, 2019
Rapper J. Cole even reacted to Colin's workout:
It's unclear if this workout was legitimate or if they just wanted to create a reason other than the obvious to NOT sign him, using made up stats or edited down video of his workout. This way they could say that this why Kap isn't good enough for the league. So, what happens next? We shall see...
Should Kap have even agreed to the workout if he distrusted the league from the get? Is the league gaslighting the situation, stirring up drama behind the scenes while pointing at Kap as the trouble maker? Is this just a no-win situation all around?
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Photos: Backgrid/Reuters/AP
source: theybf
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