Los Angeles (AFP)

Colin Kaepernick, seeking a return to the NFL three years after initiating a boycott of the American anthem, trained before emissaries of 25 franchises and in public on Saturday, after having closed the session behind closed doors organized by the League.

"I appreciate all of you coming in. That means a lot to me," said Kaepernick, who has been precise and forceful in his throws to receivers, with clear pre-requisites for replaying at the top level.

"The most important thing for me today was to make sure everything happened in a transparent way, which is why we are here and not anywhere else," said the former San Francisco quarterback, in front of the emissaries of 25 teams who made the trip to Atlanta.

Initially this session was to be held in camera at the Falcons Training Center and the NFL planned to send a video recording of this training to the 32 clubs of the League, not just those in Georgia.

Except that 30 minutes before the scheduled time, representatives of the 32-year-old told the NFL and the clubs that the meeting was delayed and relocated to a nearby high school.

- "Nothing to hide" -

The reason: "an unusual discharge of responsibility given the problems that may be caused by the jobless situation" of the player, that the NFL wanted him to sign.

Kaepernick also wanted the media to be present to film his training, something denied by the League.

His friend and former 49ers teammate Eric Reid backed him by tweeting: "In no way should we let the NFL control the story of Colin's training." We already knew his arm was an elite weapon Some doubted it, now you have evidence. "

"I appeared before you, to show that I have nothing to hide, I made sure to be ready, I am and will continue to be," said Kaepernick to the franchise emissaries.

He has not played in the league since he ended his contract with San Francisco 49ers after the 2016 season, just after launching a boycott of the American anthem played before the matches, as a sign of protest against police violence against blacks.

- "The ball is in their camp" -

A controversy that triggered a political storm in 2017, when US President Donald Trump treated players kneeling at the American anthem of "son of whores" who should be fired.

Kaepernick has, since this big controversy, been ignored by the franchises. After filing a grievance against the NFL, allegedly unfairly denied him a job, he finally found an amicable arrangement with the court in February.

While it's still too early to know how much Kaepernick convinced the recruiters that he was a serviceable player, his day, which was supposed to put his foot back at the NFL, was initially akin to a big mess. And may have reinforced the reserves of certain franchises in his place, on issues other than sports.

"We are disappointed that Colin did not come for his training," the NFL said in a statement. Today's session was meant to give Colin what he always said he wanted: an opportunity to show his football skills and his desire to return to the NFL. "

"Colin's decision has no effect on his status in the league," she said. "He remains a free agent, eligible to sign with any club."

"The ball is in their court, I'm ready," said Kapernick.

© 2019 AFP