What Went Down at Colin Kaepernick's NFL Workout
“I’ve been ready for three years, I’ve been denied for three years.”
Over the weekend in Atlanta a private NFL workout was held for former San Francisco 49ers quaterback and social activist Colin Kaepernick.
During the event, only six of the confirmed 11 teams came out to take a look at the free agent in action. The workout was initially set to take place at 3 p.m. ET at the Falcon’s training facility. However Kap and his team decided to change the time and locale to Charles Drew High School in Riverdale, Georgia — which is more than 50 miles away from the Falcon’s training facility in Flowery Branch — at the last minute after the league denied them several requests.
“From the outset, Mr. Kaepernick requested a legitimate process and from the outset the NFL league office has not provided one,” the statement read. “Most recently, the NFL has demanded that as a precondition to the workout, Mr. Kaepernick sign an unusual liability waiver that addresses employment-related issues and rejected the standard 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 league responded to the change in a lengthy statement, in which it claimed to have agreed to a number of Kaepernick’s requests.
“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,” the NFL wrote. “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. Twenty-five (25) clubs were present for the workout, and all 32 clubs, their head coaches, general managers, and other personnel executives would have received video footage of the interview and workout, shot by the Atlanta Falcons video crew.”
Along with the NFL representatives, numerous Colin supporters, protesters, and media members gathered at Charles Drew High School. Kap enlisted the help of four NFL free-agents including Eric Reid during the workout. When the event concluded, Kap signed autographs and thanked the media before explaining the change in location, stating, “Our biggest thing with everything today was making sure we had transparency in what went on. We weren’t getting that elsewhere, so we came out here. It’s important that y’all are here. Y’all been attacked for the last three years … we appreciate what y’all do, we appreciate you being here today, we appreciate the work you do for the people and telling the truth.”
He continued: “I’ve been ready for three years, I’ve been denied for three years … We’re waiting for the 32 owners, the 32 teams, (commissioner of the NFL) Roger Goodell, all of them to stop running—stop running from the truth, stop running from the people … I’ve been ready, I’m staying ready, and I’ll continue to be ready … The ball’s in their court. We’re ready to go.”
Check out the photos from Kaepernick’s private NFL workout above and the video below.
In case you’ve missed it, Colin Kaepernick teased a possible Nike Air Force 1 collaboration during the workout.
#Transparency We are ready!!! For teams/media wanting to attend today please contact his agent now ❤️ pic.twitter.com/t06x22PoK9
— NESSA (@nessnitty) November 16, 2019
NFL’s response to Colin Kaepernick opting to do his own workout today in Atlanta: pic.twitter.com/uvUZGH7CQ5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 16, 2019
Colin Kaepernick's statement following today's workout.
(via @ConorOrr)pic.twitter.com/KEWaBtSG3D— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 16, 2019
7) By Saturday, the issues remained unresolved. The NFL refused to allow Kaepernick to film his own workout, media access, and did not budge from his waiver of rights. Around late morning the Kaepernick team formally asked the NFL to reconsider or it would hold its own workout.
— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) November 16, 2019
Colin Kaepernick made a 90 second statement before leaving pic.twitter.com/QlH2RTnLp5
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 16, 2019
A Nike spokesman said Nike did not have a camera crew on the ground in Atlanta and had no plans to use footage from Kaepernick's workout.
The spokesman wouldn’t say when, or whether, the ad would come out, but it seems Nike only wanted permission to use N.F.L. team names.— Kevin Draper (@kevinmdraper) November 17, 2019
