Colin Kaepernick: A Quarterback’s Enduring NFL Dream
The saga of Colin Kaepernick’s absence from the NFL continued to capture public attention as Indianapolis Colts fans suggested his name amid their quarterback crisis. When news broke that 44-year-old retired quarterback Philip Rivers might work out for the struggling Colts—whose three quarterbacks are all injured—many fans wondered why Kaepernick wasn’t being considered. Despite being away from professional football for nearly a decade, the 38-year-old former San Francisco 49er continues to train diligently in hopes of an NFL return, a dream confirmed by his girlfriend Nessa Diab who recently told TMZ Sports, “All day, every day. Nothing’s changed.” Her comments highlighted the persistent reality that while Kaepernick remains ready, the decision ultimately rests with team owners who have shown little interest since his controversial departure from the league.
Kaepernick’s NFL journey took its pivotal turn in 2016 when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice, sparking a nationwide conversation and dividing opinions across America. His last professional appearance showed a quarterback still capable of performing at a high level—completing 17 of 22 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. Yet despite these statistics suggesting continued athletic capability, no team has invited him even to training camp since he became a free agent. The extended absence has transformed Kaepernick from merely a quarterback seeking employment into a symbol within America’s complex discourse on race, free speech, and the intersection of sports with social activism.
During his time away from the field, Kaepernick has hardly remained idle. He has channeled his energy into building platforms for social change through his Know Your Rights Camp and Kaepernick Publishing. His activism has extended beyond simple protest to include pointed criticism of institutions—comparing the NFL Draft to a slave auction, advocating for the abolition of traditional policing, and questioning the sincerity of the league’s social justice initiatives. These strong stances have likely complicated his path back to professional football, creating a situation where his identity as an activist potentially overshadows his identity as an athlete in the minds of team decision-makers who prioritize avoiding controversy.
The personal toll of his extended absence from the game became evident in a recent NPR interview where Kaepernick, while promoting his children’s book “We Are Free You & Me,” admitted, “I will forever miss it.” This candid moment revealed the human side of a public figure often depicted in stark political terms. His continued training regimen demonstrates a commitment to preserving his skills despite diminishing prospects as years pass. “I don’t want to be in a position where I look back and have to question whether or not I gave it my all,” he explained, showing the psychological importance of maintaining readiness even as opportunities dwindle. This dedication reflects a deeper personal relationship with football that transcends the political dimensions that have come to define his public persona.
Speaking to Sky Sports about his enduring NFL aspirations, Kaepernick expressed confidence in his ability to contribute at the highest level: “I think I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship.” This assertion comes from someone who once led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance, demonstrating that his belief in his abilities isn’t unfounded. The persistence of his training and public statements about returning to football reveal a man caught between two powerful identities—the athlete who achieved success at the highest level and the activist who risked that career to stand for his principles. The tension between these identities creates the compelling narrative that keeps his name in conversations about quarterback vacancies years after his last professional snap.
As Kaepernick approaches his forties, the mathematical probability of an NFL return diminishes with each passing season, creating a poignant subplot to his activism. The suggestion that he might fill the Colts’ quarterback vacancy, however unlikely, demonstrates how he remains part of the sport’s conversation despite his extended absence. His situation raises profound questions about second chances, redemption, and whether principles should come at the cost of personal dreams. Whatever one’s opinion on Kaepernick’s protests or politics, his continued training and hope for another opportunity reveal something universally relatable—the reluctance to abandon a lifelong passion and the human desire to write one’s own ending to a cherished chapter of life. For now, he continues to train, waiting for a call that may never come, embodying both the costs and commitments of standing firmly for one’s beliefs in a world that often demands compromise.
