Colin Kaepernick was scheduled to workout Saturday (Nov. 16) at the Atlanta Falcons’ training facilities for an opportunity to play in the NFL again.
The NFL invited 32 teams to watch the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback do an interview and workout. However, the athlete made a last minute location change, pushing the time of the event back one hour.
The NFL released a statement:
“We are disappointed that Colin did not appear for his workout. He informed us of that decision at 2:30 p.m. today along with the public. Today’s session was designed to give Colin what he has consistently said he wants — an opportunity to show his football readiness and desire to return to the NFL.”
The NFL claims that 25 out of the 32 clubs were present to watch the workout at the Falcon’s facilities. As a result of the last minute change, the original plan to send the teams video footage of the workout, which would’ve been filmed by the Atlanta Falcons production crew, was not executed.
The NFL went on to say that they have been cooperative with accommodating Kaepernick by approving a last minute Nike ad, agreeing that Kaepernick could bring his own receivers and including Kaepernick’s representatives in the interview process.
Kaepernick’s representatives, Ben Meiselas and Jeff Nalley, released the following statement regarding the location change:
“Because of recent decisions made by the NFL, the workout for Colin Kaepernick will be changing to an alternate location in Atlanta which will now start at 4:00 p.m. All representatives from clubs are invited to attend and upon request will be provided with the location.”
Kaepernick made the last minute location and time change to ensure that the workout process was transparent. His representatives continued in the statement,
“From the outset, Mr. Kaepernick requested a legitimate process and from the outset the NFL league office has not provided one. Most recently, the NFL has demanded that as a precondition to the workout, Mr. Kaepernick sign an unusual liability waiver from physical injury proposed by Mr. Kaepernick’s representatives. 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 NFL league office, Mr. Kaepernick simply asks for a transparent and open process which is why a new location has been selected for today.”
Just before the workout began, Kaepernick made a statement to the media and attendees present.
“I appreciate y’all coming out, that means a lot to me. Our biggest thing with everything today is making sure we have transparency with what went on. We weren’t getting that elsewhere so we came out here… 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, showed it today in front of everybody, we have nothing to hide. We’re waiting for 32 owners, the 32 teams, Roger Goodell, all of them to stop running. Stop running from the truth, stop running from the people…Balls in their court, we’re ready to go.”
The workout proceeded with Kaepernick wearing a shirt saying Kunta Kinte, a shoutout to the fictional rebellious slave character in the 1976 Alex Haley film Roots.
Sources report that not all of the 25 NFL teams showed up to the new location, but reps from the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins did show up.
The NFL said that, “Colin’s decision has no effect on his status in the League. He remains an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any club.”
