ATLANTA — In a surprising turn of events, former NFL player Colin Kaepernick worked out at a high school in Riverdale on Saturday afternoon instead of the Atlanta Falcons training center in Flowery Branch.
Channel 2's Lauren Davis was at the workout and spoke to Kaepernick, who said he wanted the media inside the Falcons' facility, but the NFL wouldn't allow that -- so Kaepernick changed the location to Charles Drew High School.
He and his agents are confused as to why the NFL even organized the whole thing in the first place. Kaepernick worked out in front of NFL scouts for the Eagles, Jets and 49ers.
.@Kaepernick7 opening statement after his workout today. #KaepernickWorkout #nfl pic.twitter.com/mYYEvcRD9v
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) November 17, 2019
"Our biggest thing is to make sure we have transparency,” Kaepernick said. "I came out here today and showed in front of everybody we have nothing to hide."
Kaepernick was a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers for six seasons until he took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.
His agent told Davis that the NFL contacted them Tuesday, saying to be at the Falcons' facility Saturday, which according to him was highly unusual because the workouts are usually coordinated by individual teams.
The NFL said they would have 25 clubs present and send footage to all 32 NFL teams. But his agent was skeptical, so they changed locations.
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"The NFL had 25 people there. Were any of those decision makers? No. There was not one head coach or general manager who came,” agent Jeff Nalley said.
Four NFL free agent receivers volunteered to work out with Kaepernick on Saturday.
Fans stood at the fence line cheering him on and after the workout Kaepernick signed autographs and thanked fans.
"My agent is ready to talk to any team. Interview with any team at any time. I’ve been ready. I’m staying ready,” Kaepernick said.
His agent said he is very pessimistic because not one team has contacted Kaepernick in the past three years, but Nalley is hoping this could be the start of something good.
"Maybe this is Roger (Goodell)’s first step in talking an owner into signing him. Hopefully, that’s the case,” Nalley said.
"The ball’s in their court. We’re ready to go,” Kaepernick said.
Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein received a statement from the NFL late Saturday afternoon, saying it was disappointed that Kaepernick did not show up for the scheduled work out in Flowery Branch.
"Today's session was designed to give Colin what he has consistently said he wants - an opportunity to show his football readiness and desire to return to the NFL."
NFL statement on Kap switching locations 30-minutes before he was supposed to workout pic.twitter.com/9pYiDrzxFD
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) November 16, 2019
Kaepeenick and Nike asked for.. and received permission from NFL to shoot commercial during his working -
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) November 16, 2019
From NFL:
When Nike, with Colin's approval, requested to shoot an ad featuring Colin and mentioning all the NFL teams present at the workout, we agreed to the request.”
The NFL in February settled a collusion grievance Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid filed against the league. Reid now plays for the Carolina Panthers.
So what's next? Nalley told Davis that he suggested having another workout at the annual owners meetings and GM's agreed, so that could be a go.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Cox Media Group
