ESPN is reporting that Colin Kaepernick’s workout with the Seahawks was cancelled because he won’t pledge to stand for the National Anthem:
NY POST – Colin Kaepernick’s chance to work out for the Seahawks has blown up, with differing accounts as to the cause.
The free-agent quarterback was set to work out with Seattle this week, but the team postponed his trip after Kaepernick declined to stop kneeling during the national anthem, ESPN.com reported. A source told the website the Seahawks are still considering bringing Kaepernick in for a tryout.
The trip, which had been set up by the Seahawks two weeks ago, hit a snag when the team asked about Kaepernick’s anthem-kneeling intentions next season. Kaepernick was unwilling to guarantee he would stand.
The NFL Network countered that report by vaguely saying the Seahawks’ issue was more with Kaepernick not having a plan on how to proceed “on everything.”
Kaepernick has been at the center of the two-year controversy. Kaepernick visited with the Seahawks last offseason, but the Seahawks opted to sign Austin Davis instead.
I totally believe ESPN’s reporting. Kaepernick simply has too much baggage now and any team would be smart to look the other way, considering all the damage he’s done. Also, the NFL would seem to me to be too conflicted on this to report it accurately.
The fact that the Seahawks suggest they haven’t completely ruled him out could simply be their way of trying to keep from pissing off other players who support Kaepernick. The last thing the NFL needs is to start the season out like it did last year, with players constantly kneeling during the National Anthem.