Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis openly spoke about former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick about potentially welcoming him into the organization, reported USA Today. Imagining Kaepernick in silver and black is a bit odd. However, the owner clearly still believes in his value as a player and leader.
During an episode of “Race in America: A Candid Conversation,” Davis expressed his belief that Kaepernick deserves every opportunity to be an NFL quarterback.
“I still believe in it,” Davis said in the episode. “If our coaches and general manager want to bring him in or want him as the team’s quarterback, I would welcome him wholeheartedly.”
Kaepernick has yet to set foot on an NFL field since 2016. In 2016, he began protesting police brutality by kneeling during the National Anthem which sent millions into a frenzy. He expressed emotionally on several occasions that this was a civil rights issue and not disrespect or spite to the Nation’s military.
Raider’s owner Davis compares Kaepernick to the legendary American track star Tommie Smith, during his NBC interview. Smith is the sprinter who famously raised his fisted glove on the medal podium, during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Davis believes the same impact Smith had with his actions is very identical to Kaepernick’s actions.
“Colin Kaepernick has given up many opportunities in his life to raise awareness about police violence and equality in America,” Davis stated. “I support him in that.”
The Experience Kaepernick can bring to the Las Vegas Raiders
Kaepernick was with the 49ers from 2011 to 2016. He was one of the most prolific dual-threat QBs the NFL’s ever seen. Kap threw more than 12,000 yards and help lead his team to Super Bowl XLVI. Ultimately, he lost to the Baltimore Ravens; however, he proved to be one of the best QBs in the league at the time. Sadly, his protest gained publicity from former President Donald Trump. It seemed Trump made his stance on the Kaepernick movement more political than he ever imagined. As a result, the 49ers shortly released him during the 2017 season.
Every NFL team just appeared in Las Vegas for the NFL draft. As many know, what often occurs directly after the draft is free-agent signings. Mainly, because signing after the draft won’t affect the compensatory draft picks.
The last time Kaepernick was in Nevada was during his college football days. In three seasons, he threw for 10,098 yards and scored 82 touchdowns. He was the NCAA Division I player in history to ever throw for 10,000 passing yards and rush for 4,000 rushing yards in a career.
