Is Colin Kaepernick Being Blackballed? What NFL Players, Coaches, and Executives Are Saying

Richard Sherman, Brandon Marshall, and others have given their opinion on whether or not Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed by the NFL right now.

Colin Kaepernick walks off the field after SF's 23 20 loss to Arizona.
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports/Joe Camporeale

Colin Kaepernick walks off the field after SF's 23 20 loss to Arizona.

When the 2017-18 NFL season kicks off in September, there’s a chance—maybe even a good chance—that Colin Kaepernickwon’t be on an NFL roster. Even though he’s just four years removed from starting in a Super Bowl for the 49ers and also started 11 games last season for San Francisco, Kaepernick has yet to sign with a team this offseason after parting ways with the Niners in early March.

Some people think it’s because Kaepernick hasn’t found the right fit for him just yet. Others think it’s because he wants too much money for a guy who will likely end up being a backup quarterback. And everyone else, including the President of the United States, thinks it’s because he’s being blackballed from the league as a result of his decision to take a knee during the national anthem before games last season and speak his mind on important social issues.

But is that really the case? That’s the question many NFL players, coaches, and executives are being asked right now. And there doesn’t seem to be a consensus just yet. Some players, coaches, and execs think Kaepernick is being blackballed, while others aren’t so sure. Here’s a running list of those who have spoken up about whether or not they think Kaepernick is being blackballed and the reasoning behind their answers.

Seahawks CB Richard Sherman

Richard Sherman.

Does he think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed? Yes
His explanation: "I’m sure he is…It has nothing to do with football. He would be a starter on probably 20 of these teams in this league. But you’re telling me that…you’re going to pick up some of these other guys and tell me that they’re starters?"

Giants WR Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall.

Does he think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed? No
His explanation: "No, and the reason why is I was one of those players on the other end of the spectrum. I was a player that probably was on my way out of the NFL. I was a troubled kid. I had things going on that I was aware of and I needed time to be able to fix that, and [NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell] embraced me, he brought me in, he talked to me like he was a coach. He told me what was expected of me and how I needed to protect the shield, and he also gave me the resources I needed to get the help I needed. And he’s always listened to me—or at least picked up the phone. So I think any player if they wanted to get to the commissioner and talk to him, he would be open to it. He’s just that type of guy. Obviously it’s a business and he has to do what’s best for the NFL, but at the end of the day, I truly do believe he does care about the players."

Ravens LB Terrell Suggs

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Does he think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed? Yes
His explanation: "I think so, yeah. He is. Stay strong, we’re with you."

Ravens HC John Harbaugh

John Harbaugh.

Does he think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed? No
His explanation: "I would never use just a generic, stupid term like [blackballed] to describe a more complicated type of situation. I just think it’s too easy. It’s intellectually lazy. To me, I think that it’s more nuanced. And I do think that people are, yeah, I absolutely think he’s going to get signed. I think he’ll probably be starting somewhere [in 2017]."

Broncos GM John Elway

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Does he think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed? No
His explanation: "Nope."

Seahawks DE Michael Bennett

Does he think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed? Yes
His explanation: "Of course I think he’s being blackballed in a certain type of way, because if you look at the quarterbacks that’s being signed, Josh McCown, I mean, this guy has never thrown for over 2,600 yards. He’s a good quarterback, but this guy has been to NFC Championships, he’s been to the Super Bowl, he came back in that Green Bay game and won. They won all those games on the road to go to the Super Bowl. So for a guy like him not to be signed when you got Chase Daniel—I don’t think he’s ever thrown for over 450 yards—there’s guys like that with jobs. So you know, it has to be something. It can’t be his skill level, because really, he threw 16 touchdowns, four interceptions last year… Kaepernick has played good football, and for him not to have a job, you have to think that he’s being blackballed."

Browns OT Joe Thomas

Does he think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed? Yes
His explanation: "Teams don’t currently view him as a starting QB, and NFL teams accept ZERO distractions from their backup QBs."

Former 49ers HC Chip Kelly

Chip Kelly.

Does he think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed? Yes
His explanation: "Do I think he is one of the top 64 quarterbacks in the world? There is no question. Does he have the ability to play quarterback on a winning team in the NFL? There is no question."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

Roger Goodell.

Does he think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed? No
His explanation: "I haven’t heard that from our clubs in any way that that’s an issue. My experience in 35 years is that our clubs make independent evaluations of players. They work hard to try to improve their teams. But if they think a player can help improve their team, they’re going to do that."

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