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Leagues and Governing Bodies

With Kaepernick Still Unsigned, Is It Fair To Wonder How Political Stance Harmed Career?

Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned eight weeks after the start of NFL free agency, leading some to believe he is "being ignored because of his decision to kneel during the national anthem before games last season," according to a front-page piece by Eric Branch of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Others believe the issues are "more complex and involve his on-field regression and potential distractions he'd bring to a franchise." 49ers S Eric Reid, who knelt with Kaepernick prior to games last season, said, "People want to shy away from him because of media PR reasons. And it’s sad. ... He’s been doing things that if it were anybody else in a different situation, without the anthem, they would be praising him and giving him awards for it." Broncos LB Brandon Marshall last month told the Denver Post that Kaepernick is "probably being blackballed" and team owners might not "want their franchise tagged with that." Branch notes Kaepernick’s career had "steadily nose-dived" since he led the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII, but he "made a modest comeback last year." It was reported a week before the start of free agency Kaepernick "would stand for the anthem" in '17. However, whether he "stands or not," Kaepernick "probably won’t be able to fade into the background, even though he most likely will be a backup" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/4). The Jets signed QB Josh McCown to compete with Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty for the team's starting spot, and in Portland, Geoffrey Arnold wrote Kaepernick is "better than all three." However, there has been "speculation" that Jets Owner Woody Johnson, a "strong supporter of President Donald Trump, was put off by Kaepernick's refusal to stand." Trump himself has "criticized Kaepernick for his stance" (OREGONLIVE.com, 5/3).

BAD SIGN FOR NFL? USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes under the header, "An Unsigned Colin Kaepernick Is A Bad Sign For NFL." Brennan: "What does it say about the NFL ... when at least a half-dozen men who have been accused of physical or sexual assault have been welcomed into the NFL over the past week, while Colin Kaepernick still has not? Is it worse to be known for not standing for the National Anthem than for being accused of hitting or assaulting someone?" Blaine Gabbert, who Kaepernick replaced last season as the 49ers starting QB, is currently "in talks to sign" with the Cardinals. Brennan: "You really do have to wonder what’s going on" (USA TODAY, 5/4).

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