Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has taken a major step toward a possible return to the gridiron. Kaepernick took part in a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders this week, his first official league activity since 2016, according to the Associated Press.
Kaepernick created controversy by kneeling during the playing of the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice in the United States. In the following years, he claimed he had been blacklisted from the NFL.
He and fellow player Eric Reid filed a grievance against the league in 2017 for allegedly colluding to keep them off the field. Though they later reached a settlement deal with the NFL, the numbers remain confidential.
Kaepernick’s protest garnered national attention and led to multi-million dollar deals with major brands like Nike.
This could be his last chance to prove he has the skills to be an NFL quarterback, and the Raiders organization, which is no stranger to controversy, could be a perfect fit.
“I believe in Colin Kaepernick and he deserves every chance in the world to become a quarterback in the National Football League,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said last month during an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area. “I still stand by it. If our coaches and general manager want to bring him in or want him to be the quarterback on this team, I would welcome him with open arms.”
First year coach Josh McDaniels may be looking to shake things up in Sin City. But, even if things work out, it will take a lot to get him on the field as the Raiders have a top-10 quarterback in Derek Carr who is under contract through the 2025 season.
