Colin Kaepernick recently restated his comparison between the NFL and the slave trade during a discussion with former ESPN commentator Ryan Clark. This comparison was initially made in the 2021 Netflix series, “Colin in Black & White.”

In the series, Kaepernick narrates the NFL Scouting Combine, likening it to a slave auction. “What they don’t want you to understand is what’s being established is a power dynamic,” he says. He describes the scouting process as intrusive, asserting that teams inspect players for defects, disregarding personal boundaries and dignity.

“Before they put you on the field, teams poke, prod and examine you, searching for any defect that might affect your performance. No boundary respected. No dignity left intact.”

During his “Pivot” podcast, Ryan Clark asked Kaepernick about when he began to view the combine as reminiscent of the slave trade. Kaepernick’s response emphasized his discomfort with the process, claiming a lack of historical perspective in 2011 to recognize what he now views as a parallel to a slave auction.

Kaepernick recognizes that NFL players earn substantial salaries but argues that the procedures and underlying intentions mirror those of slavery.

Adding to the conversation, Kaepernick continues to assert his readiness to return to the NFL. Despite not having played since January 2017, he trains daily, holding onto the aspiration of once again joining the league.