President Donald Trump would be happy to see former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick playing again, but offered a caveat.
Despite his vocal criticism of the ex-San Francisco 49er after kneeling during the national anthem in 2016, the president now says the controversial player should get a shot at reviving his football career if he is deemed ready.
“Should Colin Kaepernick get an opportunity to play in the NFL?” a reporter asked Trump outside of the White House on Friday.
“Only if he is good enough,” Trump responded.
“If he is good enough. Why would he play? If he is good enough,” he added.
“I know the owners, I know Bob Kraft, I know so many of the owners, if he is good enough they’d sign him,” Trump told reporters. “They would sign him in a heartbeat. They will do anything they can to win games.”
The president revealed that he would personally like to see the 31-year-old back in the league but not if it was for publicity.
“Frankly, I would love to see Kaepernick come in if he is good enough. But I don’t want to see him come in because somebody thinks it’s a good P.R. move,” Trump said. “If he is good enough, he will be in.”
His remarks come just two days after Kaepernick seemed to send up a signal for attention, announcing that he is “still ready” along with a video showing him training and exercising.
“5am. 5 days a week. For 3 years. Still Ready,” he said.
5am. 5 days a week. For 3 years. Still Ready. pic.twitter.com/AGczejA1rM
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 7, 2019
Kaepernick’s video post, which declares that he has been “denied work for 889 days,” came after settling his case against NFL owners he alleged had kept him from working due to his political activism. He opted out of his contract with the 49ers back in 2016, but remained a free agent with no one signing him on as the controversy over his outspoken views continued.
Likely that multi-million dollar settlement made his lack of NFL work easier to bear. And Kaepernick also has an endorsement deal with Nike.
Many are doubtful the former quarterback will be signed on by any team and some wonder why he doesn’t take another job.
According to NJ.com:
Given all those factors (Kaepernick’s age, his time away from the league, and the collusion grievance), there’s pretty much zero way he returns to the NFL.
Kaepernick is better off giving the XFL a shot, if he truly wants to resume playing football. Of course, it’s not like he’s going to make millions of dollars in Vince McMahon’s relaunched league, which begins play in 2020 (or at least that’s the plan).
But on a prove-it basis, as Kaepernick tries to show NFL teams he is worth signing, the XFL is really his only (and best) option right now.
Twitter users reacted to Trump’s remarks on Kaepernick and the flare sent up by the former NFL star.
You’d be in the league if you didn’t disrespect the troops and the flag. I literally vomited everywhere when I saw you take a knee. I hope you’re happy.
— Barry McCockiner (CHECK PINNED TWEET) (@DocMcCockiner) August 7, 2019
YOU made a decision to opt out of your contract in March 2017, plus you had opportunities with both the Broncos and Ravens but your actions ruined those opportunities. Don’t make this a pity party when you’re responsible for the consequences of your own actions to opt out
— Ty Thomas (@TyThomas15) August 7, 2019
Cheerleader positions are open.
— Hugh Jorgen (@HughJorgen8) August 7, 2019
Reporter to Trump in 2023 – “sir what’s your opinion of Colin Kaepernick who has been out the NFL for 10 years now. Sir… Sir…”
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) August 9, 2019
This is why President Trump is loved. ?????????????
— Cathy Kwasigroch (@rushismyhero) August 9, 2019
POTUS has common sense & replies with common sense. The reporter was trying to bait him with the question to label him “rascist”. Didn’t work.
— Sun_In_The_Rain (@SunInTheRain14) August 9, 2019
Thing is: Kap is not good enough. That’s why he is not playing in the nfl.
— Zeeman (@imthezeeman) August 9, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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