PARIS – Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick recently expressed his belief that he could help a team win a championship if given the chance to return to the league. It has been eight years since Kaepernick last played in the NFL, but he remains optimistic about his abilities.
During his six-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick led the team to its first Super Bowl victory since 1994 in the 2012 season. Since his last game in 2016, he has not competed in the league, but he continues to train diligently. Kaepernick stated in an interview, “We’re still training, still pushing. So hopefully. We’ve just got to get one of these team owners to open up.”
Kaepernick is known not only for his performance on the field but also for his activism. In 2016, he began taking a knee during the pre-game national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality. This action sparked widespread discussions and was mirrored by athletes in various sports worldwide, including football and soccer.
During a recent event in Paris, Kaepernick reflected on these issues, emphasizing the continual need to address racial inequality. “We have a lot of people that are oppressed. We have a lot of people that aren’t treated equally,” he stated. His protests during his NFL career had significant impact, leading to conversations about social justice across the nation.
The former quarterback has his eyes on new opportunities too, with flag football set to be introduced at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. Kaepernick expressed his desire to compete in this new format, saying, “Hopefully we’ll be out there. We’re going to work out some things, see if we can make it in there.”
Kaepernick was in Paris to run the 10km in the Marathon for All, showing his ongoing dedication to athletics. He attended the men’s basketball semi-finals, where the USA team secured a thrilling win against Serbia, and highlighted the remarkable skills of players like Lebron James and Steph Curry.
As he continues to advocate for change, Kaepernick remains hopeful for the future, both in his potential return to the NFL and in promoting social justice through sports. His determination to compete and effect change is as strong as ever, even after years away from the game.
