How the NFL League Office Intentionally Destroyed Future Hall of Famer, Colin Kaepernick

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

It’s easy to do the “popular” or “politically correct” thing. It takes enormous courage to do what is right; to fight for your beliefs.

I live in Northern Nevada and was privileged to live here when Colin Kaepernick was the quarterback for the University of Nevada’s Wolfpack. He played for three seasons, 2008-2011, leading his team to a 13-1 record and the WAC championship in his final year.

His collegiate career produced more than 40,000 passing yards and more than 10,000 rushing yards, 82 passing touchdowns and 59 running. His passing and rushing yards stand alone in collegiate history.

Kaepernick was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. Less than two years later, he led his team to the NFC championship, and a berth in Super Bowl XLVII.

His opponent was the Baltimore Ravens. The game was competitive until the very end. The 49ers needed a touchdown to win. Kaepernick drove his team inside the red zone with less than two minutes remaining. He rifled a pass to the back of the end zone. A referee was standing next to the play. The 49er player was clearly interfered with, but a “no call” gave Baltimore the win.

For one of the most talented quarterbacks in football history, this began the end of his career.

HUMAN RIGHTS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE NFL

In 2016, Kaepernick, a noted civil rights activist, followed the lead of other NFL players and took a knee during the singing of the National Anthem in protest. At the end of the season, he became a free agent and has never played again, obviously blackballed by the league office.

As players began to offer their own protests across the league, owners stepped in and threatened their players with punishment if they dared protest mistreatment of Black men and women by law enforcement and others in power.

Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, made a statement prior to the beginning of a game, saying that ‘any player who took a knee during the National Anthem would be benched.’ Not one Dallas player had the courage to challenge their racist owner.

Kaepernick remains an activist. He considers himself a football player and continues to workout at 4:30 every morning. However, not a single owner of all 32 NFL teams has shown the courage to offer him a position on their team.

KAEPERNICK AND FANS WERE PUNISHED BY A BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY FOR SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

I have no doubt that if Colin Kaepernick had been allowed to participate in the game he loves, he would have become a Hall of Fame player. Since 2016, I have only witnessed one NFL quarterback who possesses such unusual physical and mental abilities, although in a slightly different way: Patrick Mahomes.

I became a fan of the NFL in the late 1950’s, when some players were required to play both offense and defense. I watched a far different game than what is seen on your television screen today.

The biggest changes involve quarterbacks. Names you may know, like Johnny Unitas, and Y.A. Tittle did not have the luxury of having plays called for them during the game. They were required to evaluate the defense and decide which plays to run in every circumstance. They were also “football players.” Quarterbacks did not receive special protection under the rules of the game. I remember what is now a famous photo. At the end of a game, Y.A. Tittle was kneeling in the end zone, blood trickling down his face.

I do not disagree with most of the rule changes under which the game is played today. Player safety is and must be paramount if the game is to survive. However, I have major criticisms for the officials. They are inconsistent, and often make calls in critical situations which decide the outcome of the games.

I have no respect for Roger Goodell for the prior reasons, but I have equal disrespect for most of the NFL owners. Remember, they are billionaires, and money is their god.

Goodell’s salary is in the $50 million dollar range: ridiculous.

I support the players and I will always support Colin Kaepernick. I was not allowed to watch a unique talent play out his career as an NFL quarterback. Instead, I was forced to watch boring quarterbacks like Tom Brady who owe their careers to rule changes, biased officials, and broadcasters whose livelihoods depend on the creation of heroes who are unworthy of their praise.

My final observation is “what if that official had made the right call in Super Bowl XLVII.” Would a Super Bowl winning quarterback have been treated differently? The NFL is all about profits.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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Sources: https://www.biography.com/athletes/colin-kaepernick

https://nevadawolfpack.com/honors/hall-of-fame/colin-kaepernick/219