NFL test training by Colin Kaepernick: Who makes the rules here?

Everything was prepared for Colin Kaepernick. Scouts from about two dozen NFL teams had come to the training grounds of the Atlanta Falcons in Georgia, the first training partners were warming up, a camera team was preparing. In a workout initiated by the NFL, the former star quarterback at 3 pm local time should show that he still has it, about three years after his most recent pro game.

About half an hour before the start Kaepernick broke the workout. More precisely, he relocated it arbitrarily. In a statement, the 32-year-old said that he would not show up at the NFL-organized session, but would organize his own, an hour later than planned and in another location.

What was behind it? PR? Mistrust?

Shortly after 4 pm, Kaepernick and his team drove up to a high school stadium more than 90 kilometers southwest of the training grounds of the Falcons. There were a few hundred fans and representatives from eight NFL teams.

Kaepernick, black tank top, black shorts, stood up at the level of the midline and threw balls, sometimes long, sometimes short. Most passes arrived. Then he ran slightly backwards or to the side before the throws, as if dodging imaginary opponents.

It was a bit like theater. The performance lasted 40 minutes.

The New York Times cites an NFL scout, who then spoke of an "impressive" concept. So he obviously still has it. But for the sport it is in the cause Kaepernick long time not more.

Elijah Nouvelage / REUTERS

Kaepernick after the workout: "I'm ready"

Since 2017, the NFL and Kaepernick are in dispute. The quarterback had begun the year before at the San Francisco 49ers, kneel during the national anthem to protest against police violence against African Americans. After his contract end with the 49ers he found despite his athletic class no club. Later he sued the league: The teams had systematically marginalized him then. Only in early 2019, the league and its former superstar agreed - out of court, without making details public.

At the beginning of this week, the NFL Kaepernick suddenly and surprisingly offered the sighting training, as well as a conversation with team representatives had been planned. The entire training session was filmed by the NFL and the material was made available to unrepresented clubs.

Kaepernick wanted transparency

However, even before the training was postponed on Saturday, several US media reported that Kaepernick and the NFL were disagreeing on what conditions the training should take place. There was mistrust.

First, Kaepernick should have signed a disclaimer that would have prohibited him to sue the league, should he not find a team after training. A liability waiver customary in such sighting training was again rejected by the NFL.

However, the main issue was the presence of the press. Kaepernick had wished that the training for the media and his own film crew was freely accessible. "To ensure transparency," it said in his statement. In addition, the Kaepernick side demanded to know which employees would send the teams to the workout. Because the NFL refused to comply, they chose a different location.

The NFL is "disappointed"

"We are very disappointed that Colin did not attend his training," the NFL said shortly afterwards. The training session was designed to give Kaepernick what he consistently demanded, "an opportunity to show his dedication and determination to return to the NFL."

The disclaimer, the Kaepernick should have signed, would have met the standard, it said in the statement. On Saturday afternoon, the management of the 32-year-old had sent back a "completely rewritten and inadequate" alternative proposal.

On Friday evening, the NFL learned that Kaepernick wanted to open the event for journalists. As is customary at sightings, a video team would have to film the process and distribute the material from the interview and training. The NFL had made a concession to the player: Kaepernick and his management had received both the video, which would have received all 32 clubs, as well as the raw material from the entire event. That has never happened before.

This also applies to a trial session on a Saturday.

Already the termination of the workout irritated. Last Tuesday, the Kaepernick site received a call from the NFL and the offer to hold the workout on Saturday. Within two hours, the footballer must decide whether to participate. So it writes the "New York Times".

"Something did not smell right"

The training was not only scheduled at very short notice, the day on which it was to take place was unusual. Usually, sighting trainings are held during the week. Because NFL team representatives are busy at the weekend either with the scouting of college players or the preparation for the match day on Sunday. Kaepernick is said to have tried several times to relocate the workout. Otherwise, he had to expect that high-ranking team representatives would stay away. The NFL should have rejected.

So the workout now looks almost like a PR stunt. A move that will allow the NFL to show it does not get in the way of a Kaepernick return. "Something did not smell right," quotes the "New York Times" Kaepernicks agents: Something was lazy.

But even Kapernick knew how to stage himself and use this stage. "I'm ready to go anywhere," he said, referring to a possible new engagement. The team owners need "not to be afraid of me". Whether someone will contact Kaepernick, but is questionable. He hoped it would, said his agent, but he was pessimistic. After all, he has already "spoken to all 32 teams, none of whom offered Kaepernick a trial training."