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Yesterday, we brought you the bombshell news that the National Football League had invited all 32 of the league’s teams to attend an official workout for Colin Kaepernick, which will be held this Saturday, November 16, in Atlanta, Georgia. Kaepernick, 32-years-old, last played in the NFL in 2016 with the San Fransisco 49ers.
According to Cincinnati Enquirer sports reports Tyler Dragon, the Bengals are one of the teams showing interest in Kaepernick as they will be in attendance to evaluate the quarterback on Saturday.
The #Bengals will be evaluating Colin Kaepernick’s workout on Saturday, sources tell me.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) November 13, 2019
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport has reported that Kapernick’s workout will begin at 3 p.m. EST. The former San Fransisco 49ers quarterback will conduct an interview at 3:15 p.m., followed by measurements, stretching & warmups. Then, at 3:50 p.m., timing and testing will begin, followed by quarterback drills at 4:15 p.m.
Additionally, Rapoport stated that Jay-Z, who recently partnered with the NFL to work on social justice, had a role to play in Kapernick’s official workout being organized.
Two notes: 1. Jay-Z, a partner with the NFL on social justice, had some influence here. 2. This is not part of Kaepernick’s settlement, nor did he ask for this in his settlement. https://t.co/6l7z3MYJ5x
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 13, 2019
Kaepernick, a former second-round draft pick out of the University of Nevada, was a member of the San Fransisco 49ers for six seasons from 2011 to 2016, leading the team to Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens. The 49ers ultimately lost that Super Bowl — which was held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 3, 2013 — by a score of 34-31.
As a way to protest police brutality and racial injustice, Kaepernick began kneeling as the national anthem was sung before games. Kapernick’s protests lead to a nation-wide discussion regarding patriotism, prompting President Trump to say that NFL owners should “fire” players who protest during the anthem.
After the 2016 season, Kaepernick opted out of his contract and became a free agent. However, Kaepernick never signed with a new team, leading many to believe that he was blackballed from the league due to his divisive protests.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Contact him on Twitter @eric_ital or via email eric@brobible.com