Colin Kaepernick was set to have his work out with NFL at the Falcons’ practice facility in Flowery Branch at 3 p.m. ET. However, the workout was moved to 4 p.m. ET at Charles Drew High School outside of Atlanta.
The Football Star moved his workout on Saturday after the NFL denied his request to allow media members into the event, the free-agent quarterback’s representatives announced.
“Mr. Kaepernick requested all media be allowed into the workout to observe and film it and for an independent film crew to be there to ensure transparency. The NFL denied this request. Based on the prior conduct by the league office, Mr. Kaepernick simply asks for a transparent and open process which is why a new location has been selected for today.” his agent, Jeff Nalley, and attorney, Ben Meiselas revealed in a statement. They also added “From the outset, Mr. Kaepernick requested a legitimate process and from the outset, the NFL league office has not provided one”.
The NFL released a statement saying Kaepernick informed the league at 2:30 p.m. ET that he would not attend the workout at the Falcons’ facility. The league said it heard for the first time on Saturday that the quarterback wanted the workout open to the media.
According to ESPN’s Howard Bryant, the NFL told Kapernick’s team ahead of the workout that there would be no media access and it was unclear who his receivers would be. The quarterback was “uncomfortable” with this and flew in receivers at his own expense. When the NFL reportedly suggested Kaepernick’s team couldn’t film anything, his camp worried about the league solely having access to the footage.
The two sides also reportedly disagreed on a waiver. Bryant reports the league asked Kaepernick to sign a waiver promising he wouldn’t sue the NFL if he went unsigned after the workout. Kaepernick’s team reportedly responded with a standard injury form.
Lebron James has thrown his weight behind Colin Kaepernick ahead of the workout;
24 NFL teams were expected to attend the workout in Flowery Branch. Former Browns and Raiders head coach Hue Jackson was set to lead the event per the NFL’s request and he flew to Atlanta on Saturday morning. Kaepernick’s agent invited Jackson to the new workout location with less than an hour until it was set to begin. Unfortunately, Charles Drew High School is more than an hour away from the original location and Jackson headed back to the airport, NFL.com’s Michael Silver reports.
Colin Kaepernick hasn’t played since 2016 with the San Francisco 49ers. He helped start a wave of protests about social and racial injustice that season by first sitting which later led to kneeling during the national anthem at games.
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