Colin Kaepernick does not shy away from shaking things up. He recently hired new agents who began telling teams that the 29-year-old will be opting out of his San Francisco 49ers contract to become a free agent. As you can imagine, teams are likely to shy away from signing Kaep, citing his inconsistencies over the past few years and his kneeling protest that, whether for good or bad, brought a lot of attention off football.
Presumably in an attempt to make himself more desirable to potential suitors, Kaepernick told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that moving forward, he will not kneel for the National Anthem. Kaep doesn’t want “past method of protest to detract from the positive change that he believes has been created, per sources.”
Upon the news breaking, Twitter had mixed responses.
The good:
The same people that were upset Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the Nat'l anthem are upset he will now stand. (1/2).
— Kevin Lockett (@kevinlockett) March 2, 2017
At least Colin Kaepernick stood for something and donated his time and money to help people, which is more than most NFL fans (2/2).
— Kevin Lockett (@kevinlockett) March 2, 2017
Stand w/@Kaepernick7 who held it down in the face of death threats for a year & isn't stopping the work just cuz he's stopping one gesture.
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) March 2, 2017
People really hate Colin Kaepernick this much.? All he did was take a stand for what he believes in. Thought we celebrated that in America 🤔
— Janicka Burgess (@Lil_CP23) March 1, 2017
The bad:
Colin Kaepernick: I won't stand for the National Anthem until racial oppression has ended in America, or I become a free agent. #douchebag
— Cleanup On Aisle 46 (@tr181h) March 2, 2017
Hell, Colin Kaepernick would sing the national anthem if an NFL team would sign him.
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) March 2, 2017
Colin Kaepernick to stand for National Anthem. Translation: I really, really want a job somewhere else and this might help me.
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) March 2, 2017
Colin Kaepernick says he will stand for the national anthem next season. Can we get a camera in his living room to make sure he does. #NFL
— Don (@ImDonHere) March 2, 2017
Colin Kaepernick plans to start standing for national anthem. Funny how approaching unemployment changes someone. But, he's still a bad QB
— Ray Moffo (@RayMoffo) March 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/moream28/status/837374810686701568
It should be noted that on top of expediting an important discussion in this country, Kaep has also pledged to donate $1 million to community organizations through his Colin Kaepernick Foundation as well as donating $100,000 a month to a variety of causes.
[h/t Yahoo!]