Colin Kaepernick, whose protests during the national anthem in 2016 sparked demonstrations for racial justice, is set on making a comeback to the NFL.
The former NFL quarterback participated in a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday, ESPN reported.
It marked the activist’s first workout with an NFL team in roughly five years, according to the site, and his first since settling a 2019 lawsuit for an undisclosed amount over claims he was blacklisted by league owners.
The workout comes less than a month after Raiders owner Mark Davis, in an interview with NBC Sports, said Kaepernick deserved a shot at the league again.
Back in March, Kaepernick expressed interest in a workout via his Twitter account.
He then said during an episode of the “I Am Athlete” podcast in April that he wanted to find his way back to an NFL team.
Kaepernick pointed to an NFL that looks different from when he last suited up in a league uniform.
“You have ‘End Racism’ in the back of your end zone. You have ‘Black Lives Matter’ on your helmet. Everything I’ve said should be in alignment with what you’re saying publicly,” Kaepernick said.
“It’s a $16 billion business. When I first took a knee, my jersey went to No. 1. When I did the deal with Nike, their value increased by $6 billion. Six billion. With a ‘b.’ ... So if you’re talking about the business side, it shows [it’s] beneficial. If you’re talking about the playing side, come in, let me compete.”
Kaepernick, who appeared in the 2013 Super Bowl, played six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers.
His protests, a response to police brutality and racial injustice, caused nationwide debate along with criticism from then-President Donald Trump in 2017.
If the Raiders sign him, Kaepernick would join a roster of four quarterbacks and reunite with the team’s offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi, a former assistant for the 49ers during the quarterback’s career there.
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