After 3 years out of the NFL, Colin Kaepernick was surprised to have the NFL sponsor a private workout for an individual player. Something just didn't seem right.
ESPN analysts Desmond Howard and Ryan Clark think that there's something fishy going on here. Closed to media? Won't tell him what WRs he's throwing to? Banned his own film crew from Nike? And now this?
Why Saturday? That's a terrible day to run a workout when NFL teams have games the next day. He and his team tried to move the workout to Tuesday when most teams would work out potential players. On top of the bad timing, the NFL closed the session off to media, tried to have him sign a "standard" waiver, and wouldn't tell his camp who would be attending the workout. Was the reason he did it?
The former NFL head coach for the Bengals, Hue Jackson landed in Atlanta, then all hell broke loose. Changing the location along with the already short notice made Jackson leave before it even began. Of the 25 teams that said they would watch, only 8 teams ended up showing.
After completing a 40-minute workout, one team executive said that he had elite talent. He showed off different types of throws, from long-range bombs to pinpoint lasers.
His former 49er teammate showed up to support him during this time. Unfortunately, he had to leave early since he is playing on Sunday.
Ranting about this PR stunt.
From Nike to ESPN, everyone has an opinion and money riding on this drama. All Colin wants to do is show that he can play football in the NFL.
Massive air time and darts on the numbers were common occurrences. A few people in the parking lot even cheer on this catch.
He showed off his athleticism by dropping dimes on his receivers. They only dropped 7 the whole workout. It was deemed a success.
Jordan Veasy, one of the receivers Kaepernick threw to, said he found out about the workout Friday morning and worked out with Kaepernick at Georgia Tech before Saturday's session. He said the message was "a good one, one that's definitely going to help himself,'' Veasy said.
"I don't think that's the question with Kap -- skill and ability.''
Since this was an open session available to the media and anyone who wanted to show up, there were more than 250 fans coming out to ask questions and autographs. Nike was on hand to film and document the process personally.
He waved to his fans and signed autographs both before and after the workout. The livestream was full of trolls but it seemed like the people who actually showed up came out in support of Colin.
Kaep flashed a couple smiles as well as a raised fist in the air. He didn't comment whether or not he will continue to protest, but he did say 3 years ago that he would stand for the anthem.
Colin's agent Nalley was hopeful about the situation saying, "Look, that's up to them. Roger Goodell represents the 32 owners, right? And he asked for this workout.
Maybe this is Roger's first step into talking an owner into signing him. Hopefully, that's the case."
The league mentioned that Kaepernick's decision on Saturday to change the location had no effect on his status in the league.
He remains an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any NFL team.