CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora says Kaepernick would stand for anthem if signed to an NFL team this season, then walks it back on Twitter.
The NFL is still figuring out what to do about all the anthem protests, but according to one insider, the man at the center of it all, Colin Kaepernick, would stand if he was in the league. Well, maybe — they didn’t actually talk about it.
On The NFL Today show Sunday, Jason La Canfora shared his insights from Saturday evening sit down with Kaepernick, his girlfriend and his trainer, related to both the former quarterback’s activism and future in professional football. La Canfora said Kap considers football to be his life’s work and while his activism and community involvement has been very visible, he’s also been waking up at 4 a.m. to practice in remote fields of New Jersey.
According to La Canfora, Kaepernick understands that there’s media attention that comes with him — it’s part of the reason he has refused to go on camera or give interviews — but that he’s hoping to be judged as a football player.
La Canfora also reports that Kaepernick said his agent has been engaged talking to all 32 teams and all teams are aware that Kaepernick is willing to go anywhere to work out for a team, in public or in private.
Asked about the national anthem protests, La Canfora said this about Kaepernick:
"Colin is all about changing the world and the fact that more people seem to be aware of social injustice and doing things about it, he’s all in favor of. The NFL for the last two weeks have brought players in to meet with owners, league executives, NFLPA executives about how to turn these protests into true progress. No one has reached out to Colin about any of that yet. I think in that regard, if someone were to call him, he would have a lot to say."
And as for whether Kap specifically would continue to kneel, La Canfora said point blank: “He’s not planning on kneeling. He’s planning on donating all his jersey sales. He’s planning on standing for the anthem if given the opportunity.”
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Since the feature, La Canfora has walked about his statements on Twitter, saying that he did not speak to Kaepernick about standing in the future, but when asked the question “relayed what had been reported about him standing in the future.”
He added, “I know @Kaepernick7 is fully committed to playing football and helping those in need. What he would do during the Anthem I do not know.”
Well, then, maybe next time, don’t heavily imply that you do.