Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is appearing to deny reports that he will stand during the national anthem if he is given a chance to play football in the NFL again.
CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora first made the statement about Kaepernick standing during the national anthem while appearing on the television network Sunday while discussing time he spent with the 29-year-old athlete who wants to play in the league.
Several media outlets then published reports based from La Canfora’s statement on the live television show in regards to Kaepernick. However, La Canfora walked back his comments on Twitter.
He wrote: ‘Wanted to clarify one thing regarding @Kaepernick7. When I was asked about his whether or not he would sit or stand for anthem …
‘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…
‘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.’
The athlete also retweeted several tweets that said he did not confirm he would stand during the national anthem if allowed to sign with a team.
But Kaepernick has not spoken publicly about whether he will stand or kneel during the national anthem if he is signed to a team for this season.
The veteran quarterback has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season after he severed his contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is appearing to deny reports that he will stand during the national anthem if he is given a chance to play football in the NFL again.
CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora (left) first made the statement about Kaepernick standing during the national anthem while appearing on the television network Sunday while discussing time he spent with the 29-year-old athlete who wants to play in the league
Several media outlets then published reports based from La Canfora’s statement on the live television show in regards to Kaepernick (above). However, La Canfora walked back his comments about the athlete ending his protest on Twitter
Kaepernick first sat and then started kneeling during the national anthem last season to bring more attention to the killings of black men by police officers while also trying to call attention to the wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States.
At the start of his protest, Kaepernick told the NFL Media: ‘I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.
‘To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.’
La Canfora did not publish any audio or video of his time with the athlete on Saturday, but spoke about it during an appearance on CBS on Sunday and also tweeted about their conversation.
He tweeted: ‘Had opportunity to hang out for a few hours with @Kaepernick7 last night. Incredibly engaging. I’ll update his situation on @THENFLTODAY
‘Impossible not to notice what kind of shape @Kaepernick7 is in. Working out 6-plus hours a day. Throwing hundreds of passes daily…
‘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…
‘Kaepernick seemed almost serene as we talking about his journey. He was always calm and thoughtful discussing the situation…
‘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’.
In recent months Kaepernick, who was ranked 17th in the league passer rating last fall, has been linked to several teams who many thought would sign him, including the Dolphins and Ravens.
Earlier this week, the athlete’s management team reached out to the Tennessee Titans after their starter, Marcus Mariota, was forced out of a game against the Texans due to a strain to his hamstring.
But the Titans didn’t go with Kaep, and instead signed Brandon Weeden as a starter for the team.
During the interview with La Canfora, the athlete said he will go anywhere to play for the NFL and just wants to be judged as a football player.
Pence tweeted the above comments in regards to the NFL game he left early over players kneeling during the national anthem
Pence stood during the national anthem and put his hand over his heart during the game on Sunday
Several members of the 49ers knelt during the national anthem prior to the game against the Colts in Indianapolis on Sunday. This is why Pence claims he left the game early
The protest has continued on this season with dozens of NFL players across the country taking a knee during the national anthem before start of games causing critics, including the president, to blast them for the move.
President Donald Trump aggressively chastised players and owners for protesting during the anthem.
A few weeks ago, Trump referred to a player who protests as a ‘son of a b***h’ and called for them to be fired by the team owner.
The players’ union along with the NFL condemned his remarks and said that players had the right to protest peacefully.
But on Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence said that he walked out of the Indianapolis Colts game against the San Francisco 49ers because some of the players knelt during the national anthem.
‘I left today’s Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem,’ Pence tweeted.
‘While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem.’
The president praised Pence for leaving the game in a tweet on Twitter and revealed that he instructed him to do it.
‘
I asked
Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and
Karen.