Colin Kaepernick during a training day organized in Riverdale, November 16, 2019. - Todd Kirkland / AP / SIPA

Three years after calling him a "motherfucker" for kneeling during the American anthem, Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Colin Kaepernick should have another chance to play in the NFL, "if he has the ability " Asked by a reporter for the Sinclair television network about the possibility, Trump replied, "Absolutely. If he deserves it, he should. If he has the capacity ”.

"Beyond kneeling, I would love to see him benefit from another opportunity, but it must obviously be good," he continued. Before saying, however, that "if he does not play well, it would be very unfair" to give him a chance.

NFL boss encourages clubs to recruit Colin Kaepernick via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/JvnyeVWeMo

- 20 Minutes Sport (@ 20minutesSport) June 16, 2020

Kaepernick, 32, has not replayed in the NFL since January 1, 2017 and an elimination with San Francisco in play-offs. During this season, which started four months earlier, he knelt before the games to protest against police brutality against blacks. This movement had been followed by other players. And, in addition to his insult then uttered, Trump, supported politically by several franchise owners, had estimated that those who, according to him, such an affront to the flag should be dismissed.

At the end of the contract, Kaepernick had not been retained by the 49ers, and no club wished to recruit him. The quarterback then entered into conflict with the NFL, believing that he was unfairly refused a job, before finding an amicable settlement in early 2019. After which, the league organized a training so that he can convince franchises to hire him. In vain.

Coming soon to the Los Angeles Chargers?

Kaepernick's name and his knee on the ground have been rehabilitated in recent weeks, during the very numerous demonstrations against social and racial injustice that occurred in the United States and in the world after the death of George Floyd, during his arrest at Minneapolis May 26. In solidarity, the police knelt down several times.

This Wednesday, the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers expressed his interest, arguing that Kaepernick "definitely corresponds to the style of quarterback that can be integrated into the system that we will use".

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Racism: NFL concedes "wrong not to listen to players"

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