NFL Trade Rumors: Colin Kaepernick Celebrity Status Does Not Guarantee His Future; NFL Teams Are Reluctant to Sign Him
Colin Kaepernick gained celebrity status last year as he refused to stand during the national anthem, but that doesn't guarantee his future in the NFL. Teams in NFL are reluctant to sign him because he is not a good quarterback.
The San Fransisco 49ers quarterback gained his celebrity status in the preseason game of 2016 when he refused to stand during the "Star Spangled Banner" but remained in his seat. In the last preseason game against San Diego Chargers on Sept. 1, he kneeled during the national anthem and continued to do so throughout the 2016 NFL season. His attention-seeking act sparked the national anthem protest in America that divided the nations.
However, his game did not match the public attention. Throughout the 2016 season, he only passed 2,241 yards in 11 games with an average of 6,8 per game. Far below his 2012 seasons when he brought the 49ers to Super Bowl with average 8.3 per game. Since then, he never made a good play for his team and he used the opportunity last season to seek attention from NFL fans.
Unfortunately, his action backfired as he remained unemployed after his contract with 49ers ended. According to Washington Post, his action turned off most of the fans, either the 49ers or the entire football fans. Although he had the right to protest, but defiance against the national anthem and patriotism is intolerable for NFL fans.
Club owners also consider him as an "excessed baggage" as reported by ESPN. Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas pointed that NFL teams see Kaepernick as "unworthy distraction." Furthermore, his playing level is terrible.
He has ben sacked 171 times, ranked 14th of the worst in NFL. Furthermore, as a quarterback, he does not have a good passing accuracy with only 59.8 percent passing completion. Therefore, in term of team contribution, Kaepernick is not a worthy player and his attention-seeking attitude will damage the team. Watch the discussion in ESPN "First Take" talk show early this month about whether Kaepernick is a worthy player or not below: