Los Angeles (AFP)
His activism, knee on the ground, having been rehabilitated since the tragic death of George Floyd, can Colin Kaepernick become again an NFL player? Several voices, up to that of Donald Trump unexpectedly, plead for a new chance, but it remains for the clubs to give it to him.
In three days, the quarterback's fate may have changed. And if it is premature to say that he will wear a jersey, his sidelining from the professional American football league, which is more than three years long, has never been so likely to end.
Court boss Roger Goodell said on Monday that he would "support and encourage" any team that wants to hire the 32-year-old whose contract with San Francisco ended after elimination in play-offs on January 1, 2017.
And on Wednesday, it was Donald Trump himself who estimated that Kaepernick should have another chance to play, "if he has the capacity".
"Beyond kneeling, I would love to see him benefit from another opportunity, but he must be good. If he does not play well, it would be unfair" to give him a chance, added the American president . The same guy who called him "motherfucker" for his knees.
It was in 2016 that Kaepernick made this gesture for the first time during the national anthem to protest against police violence against blacks.
- Sports rehabilitation? -
A movement followed by many players. To Trump's chagrin, therefore, who, in addition to his profanity, had vociferated in 2017 that those doing the flag affront should be fired.
At that time, Kaepernick was already unemployed. And since then no club has recruited him.
The quarterback then clashed with the NFL, alleging that the franchise owners - some of whom are Trump supporters - conspired to prevent him from continuing his career. After an amicable settlement finally concluded in early 2019 with the league, the latter organized in November a training session so that it tries to convince teams to hire it. In vain.
Seven months later, what brings Kaepernick once again to the NFL sphere, from which it was believed to be definitely distant, is, ironically, that famous knee on the ground that cost him so dearly.
After the drama of George Floyd, which occurred in Minneapolis on May 26, LeBron James posted a photo montage opposing Kaepernick's kneeling to that of the white policeman, who rested on the neck of this black man for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. "Do you understand now !! ?? Or is it still unclear?" Wrote the NBA superstar.
Since then, Kaepernick's gesture has been taken up in the streets of the whole world, during demonstrations against racial injustice. Including by police in the United States.
Now voices are heard calling for his sports rehabilitation. But it is not that simple.
- "It will be signed" -
First, replaying at the highest level after almost four years of absence would be virtually unprecedented. In recent history, only the example of Michael Vick is comparable. The 29-year-old joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 after two years in prison. He held only once.
"Missing three seasons is endless. Kaepernick should be a substitute at best, or even the third choice. I don't know what he can offer. The only way to find out is if a team really puts him in the essay, "said Judy Battista of the NFL Network site.
However, for the moment no club has taken the plunge, even if the Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn estimated that "it would be necessary to be crazy" not to do it.
Drew Rosenhaus, an agent representing more than 170 players, says he believes Kaepernick will find a team. "I think it will be signed. Give him a chance. He deserves it."
It remains to be seen where he is with American football, who had urged the teams "to stop fleeing from the truth" after his unsuccessful training. Since then, he has remained silent, except to encourage demonstrations.
If his future were to be written definitively outside the soccer field, it would be located whatever happens on that of activism, since the online publishing platform Medium announced Thursday that he had hired him to write focused stories on the racial theme and civil rights.
© 2020 AFP