Colin Kaepernick has been visible lately, promoting his new book titled “The Perilous Fight.” Appearing on shows like “The View,” “The Daily Show,” and “The Pivot,” Kaepernick has engaged in conversations with Trevor Noah and Jemele Hill. However, his media appearances are missing a critical element: challenging questions. While Kaepernick aims to avoid discomfort during his book tour, this has led to a lack of probing questions concerning his controversial past and present actions.
The following are some key questions that have not been asked:
Questioning NFL Participation
Many wonder why Kaepernick would desire to play in the NFL, which he compared to slavery. In 2016, Kaepernick and Eric Reid knelt during the national anthem to protest against systemic injustice. OutKick’s Bobby Burack highlighted the irony in Kaepernick equating the NFL combine to a slave auction, noting that the NFL is voluntary and has created numerous Black millionaires. Despite his criticisms, Kaepernick continues to train for a potential return to the league.
Impact on the Black Community
Another critical inquiry involves how the demonization of police, partially fueled by Kaepernick’s actions, has affected the Black community. He has worn pig socks and labeled police as modern-day slave patrols. This rhetoric has contributed to police hesitating in their duties, correlating with increased murder rates in Black communities, as documented by Harvard economic professor Roland Fryer.
Charged Rhetoric After Floyd’s Death
Following George Floyd’s death in 2020, Kaepernick posted inflammatory tweets advocating revolting against systemic violence, potentially inciting unrest at a time marked by 19 deaths and significant property damage. Such statements raise questions about his peace-driven image and whether his actions worsened national tensions.
Evaluation of Football Skills
Kaepernick’s final season with the San Francisco 49ers ended with a 1-10 record, a 49.2 QBR, and lower-than-average completion rates. Although he secured 16 touchdowns to four interceptions, his performance did not justify the distractions he introduced, leading to his departure from the NFL. His notoriety grew, but his ability to contribute at the quarterback position diminished comparatively.
Motives and Public Perception
In 2019, Kaepernick created controversy by changing the workout location with NFL teams at the last minute. This decision was linked to disputes over liability waivers. Such acts raise questions about his commitment to football versus activism. Instead of returning to play, Kaepernick gained significant attention and lucrative deals, including with Nike.
Despite various disappointments and provocations, interviewers continue to praise Kaepernick without examining these complex aspects of his past actions. As his narrative unfolds, interviewers seem content to reflect on his protest actions without deeper scrutiny.
Matt Calkins, an Outkick columnist, addresses this intersection of sports and culture. Calkins, initially a sports columnist for the Seattle Times, has extensively covered controversial figures across sports platforms, bringing to light their broader societal impacts.