CBS Reporter Clarifies That He Didn’t Actually Speak to Kaepernick on Anthem Stance (UPDATE)
After sitting down with Colin Kaepernick for several hours, @JasonLaCanfora says the QB is still actively trying to play in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/R9qTIZ7EQl
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) October 8, 2017
Over the past few weeks, a lot of attention has been paid to NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. The issue really blew up last month when President Donald Trump devoted days of Twitter activity to slamming the players and the league after declaring at a campaign event that owners should fire any “son of a bitch” that wouldn’t stand.
It was widely assumed that Trump was talking about former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick when he made his SOB remark as Kaepernick was the one who essentially started the protest in the NFL last year. This season, Kaepernick has yet to be signed to a team — even as a backup QB — and many feel that he is being blackballed due to his role in the demonstrations.
Well, it appears that Kap wants the league to know that if a team brings him on he’ll be willing to stand during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, Kaepernick has been devoting much of his time to keeping in shape in case a team signs him, working out 6+ hours a day. the QB also told La Confora he is not quitting on football and will work out any time and place for a team just to get another opportunity.
And while he is still going to work on social justice issues and do his charity work, when it comes to the whole anthem thing, he told the CBS Sports reporter that he will indeed stand while it plays.
UPDATE 2:50 PM ET: La Canfora took to Twitter to clarify that he hadn’t actually spoken to Kaepernick about the anthem but was merely repeating reports from earlier this year he had heard about Kaepernick saying that he’ll stand for the anthem.
Wanted to clarify one thing regarding @Kaepernick7. When I was asked about his whether or not he would sit or stand for anthem …
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
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…
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
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
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
Colin would have to address any future demonstrations. I didn't ask him if he would sit or stand. Our chat primarily about his will to play
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
I know @Kaepernick7 is fully committed to playing football and helping those in need. What he would do during the Anthem I do not know
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 8, 2017
Also, Kaepernick’s official account retweeted some posts disputing that he would stand during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Everybody simmer down. We live in a strange world. 1) Colin never spoke to CBS, 2)This reporter… https://t.co/3NoypMYEcO
— Charlamagne Tha God (@cthagod) October 8, 2017
From my brudder Charla @cthagod
About @Kaepernick7 he says, in the immortal words of Flavor Flav "Don't believe the hype…" https://t.co/Gc3opJ1iCR
— BigIndianGyasi (@BigIndianGyasi) October 8, 2017
The reports that Colin will stand for the anthem are completely false! He has never discussed this with anyone. pic.twitter.com/tWusUBJMeF
— NESSA (@nessnitty) October 8, 2017
UPDATE 4:50 PM ET: Kaepernick himself responded via Twitter by tweeing out a quote that a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on.
Watch the clip above, via CBS Sports.
[image via screengrab]
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