Former Rare Staff
Update: 3:30 p.m.: Colin Kaepernick has released a statement.
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A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
Winston S. Churchill
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) October 8, 2017
Update, 3:10 p.m.: Sports columnist Howard Bryant has further called into question the AP/CBS reports with this series of tweets:
1) Just got a message from @Kaepernick7, who says he has not discussed with anyone his plans in the event he is signed by an NFL team.
— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) October 8, 2017
2) My personal feelings (not his): He felt his point had been made by kneeling in 2016 but remained committed to the grassroots, however…
— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) October 8, 2017
3) That position was before Charlottesville, the continued commitment to the cause by other players and the attack on players by the POTUS
— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) October 8, 2017
4) With the actual work he’s done and resources he continues to put into the cause, he’d not do anything to suggest a retreat from it
— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) October 8, 2017
5) When it comes to skin in the game, instead of negotiating with people who have never been down, he’s put more into than everyone else.
— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) October 8, 2017
The Associated Press has also issued a correction.
CORRECTION: CBS reporter clarifies on saying Kaepernick would stand for anthem, says they didn't discuss issue.
— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) October 8, 2017
Update, 2:45 p.m.: Colin Kaepernick’s recent Twitter activity is calling into question whether or not he said that he would stand for the anthem.
For example, he has retweeted these from Charlamagne Tha God, radio host Nessa and another account calling this “fake news.”
https://twitter.com/cthagod/status/917088752358404096
The reports that Colin will stand for the anthem are completely false! He has never discussed this with anyone. pic.twitter.com/tWusUBJMeF
— NESSA (@nessnitty) October 8, 2017
So @JasonLaCanfora the writer of the piece that alleged @Kaepernick7 comments says he never asked him about standing/kneeling. #FakeNews ? pic.twitter.com/owx5ZEQ390
— Gyasi Ross (@BigIndianGyasi) October 8, 2017
While Kaepernick has stuck to retweeting rather than releasing a clarifying statement, it should be noted that ESPN’s top football reporter Adam Schefter reported as far back as March that Kaepernick would stand for the anthem this NFL season.
The dispute here is whether Kaepernick actually said what CBS and the Associated Press made public earlier Sunday.
https://twitter.com/AP/status/917073075778342913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcoxrare.wordpress.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D741120%26action%3Dedit
Original story:
Colin Kaepernick, the source of national anthem protests that infamously drew President Donald Trump’s ire in that “get that son of a bitch off the field” remark,” has reportedly told CBS that he will stand for the national anthem again — if he gets a job again in the NFL.
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The news, which is at the time of this writing only available in bite-sized form, is: “Kaepernick tells CBS he’ll stand during national anthem if given chance to play football in NFL again,” reportedly from the Associated Press, via TIME reporter Zeke Miller’s Twitter.
https://twitter.com/AP/status/917073075778342913
NEW YORK (AP) – Quarterback Colin Kaepernick tells CBS he'll stand during national anthem if given chance to play football in NFL again.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) October 8, 2017
The reporter who got a major scoop, Jason La Canfora, supplied more details on Twitter.
Had opportunity to hang out for a few hours with @Kaepernick7 last night. Incredibly engaging. I'll update his situation on @THENFLTODAY
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
Impossible not to notice what kind of shape @Kaepernick7 is in. Working out 6-plus hours a day. Throwing hundreds of passes daily…
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
As much as he is dedicating himself to playing again – and Colin told me he won't give up on that dream – he never appeared angry…
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
Kaepernick seemed almost serene as we talking about his journey. He was always calm and thoughtful discussing the situation…
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
Bottom line – I can assure you that @Kaepernick7 would be willing to work out any place, any time, for any NFL team. He is not quitting
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
One other thing of note is this:
Standing for Anthem wasn't something that I spoke to Colin about sat. I relayed what had been reported about him standing in the future…
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
Reports about @Kaepernick7 standing for anthem had not been refuted. However, I cant say if they are true or not. Colin and I didn't discuss
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
La Canfora said his “primary takeaway” was that Kaepernick’s sole focus is on being a quarterback. Kaepernick does on-field work and throws hundreds of passes for several hours a day at an undisclosed location in New Jersey. He also trains in a gym and spends part of his days working with youth in Harlem.
Kaepernick said his agent is talking to all 32 teams, and he’s hopeful a team will give him an opportunity for a tryout. He said the Tennessee Titans knew he wanted to work out for them last week, but he was not among four quarterbacks invited for an audition. The Titans signed Brandon Weeden.
There were already rumblings about Kaepernick standing for the anthem this the NFL offseason.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
