President Donald Trump Supports Colin Kaepernick NFL Return, But Only If Ready to Play

Posted on: August 11, 2019, 02:00h. 

Last updated on: August 10, 2019, 11:05h.

President Donald Trump is voicing support for Colin Kaepernick’s return to the National Football League, but only if the controversial quarterback is ready to play and a team isn’t simply handing him a contract for media reasons.

Donald Trump Colin Kaepernick NFL odds
President Donald Trump isn’t against Colin Kaepernick returning to the NFL. (Image: Scott Olson/Getty/AOL/Casino.org)

Kaepernick shook up the NFL and political arena in 2016 when he kneeled during the singing of the US national anthem, allegedly in protest of racial injustice and oppression. Trump interjected and said owners should fire players who protest, which led to wider kneeling demonstrations throughout the pro football league.

Following the 2016 season, Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers, but no other team signed him. He’s since remained a free agent and eligible to sign with any team.

I think if he was good enough, I know the owners, I know Bob Kraft, I know so many of the owners, if he’s good enough, they’d sign him,” Trump said this week. “If he’s good enough, I know these people – they would sign him in a heartbeat. They will do anything they can to win games.”

“Frankly, I’d love to see Kaepernick come in, if he’s good enough. But I don’t want to see him come in because somebody thinks it’s a good PR move. If he’s good enough, he will be in,” President Donald Trump concluded.

49ers Downward Spiral

A University of Nevada, Reno graduate, Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl during the 2012-13 NFL season. In the big game, he threw for 302 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score in the Niners’ narrow 34-31 loss. That Super Bowl will be long remembered for a power outage that disrupted play for 34 minutes.

Six years later, Kaepernick’s former team has become one of the worst in the NFL. They haven’t reached the playoffs in that period, and are at 40/1 in Las Vegas to win the next Super Bowl. The 49ers current starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo is at 50/1 to win the AP MVP award.

Trump’s remarks came after reporters asked him to comment on a social media video released by Kaepernick that claims he’s been “Denied Work for 889 Days.” In the video, Kaepernick claims he’s been working out five days a week at 5 am.

Odds of Return

With the preseason officially underway, teams will soon realize roster depth. Injuries may also increase Kaepernick’s potential attractiveness, perhaps leading a team to take a chance on him.

The Philadelphia Eagles lost backup Nate Sudfeld to a broken left wrist during their Thursday preseason game. With Nick Foles gone, Philly backups to starter Carson Wentz are now rookie Clayton Thorson and journeyman Cody Kessler.

The Eagles have high hopes for 2019-20 with Wentz back. Las Vegas has the team at 14/1 to win the Super Bowl. But Wentz has been prone to injuries, and Philadelphia might be wise to have a more experienced QB in its wings should he miss time.

Eagle reporter Matt Bowker of CBS Philly opined this week, “Kaepernick was one of the most electrifying QBs in the league during his career… He’s been out of the league now for two full seasons. That’s a long time. But to not give Kaepernick a call just to see what he has left would be negligence, especially for a franchise as open-minded and socially conscious as the Eagles.”