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Colin Kaepernick is perfect fit for the Raiders on every level

By Khaled Abdallah

ANN ARBOR, MI - APRIL 02: Colin Kaepernick interacts with fans during the Michigan spring football game at Michigan Stadium on April 2, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kaepernick was honorary captain for the game. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - APRIL 02: Colin Kaepernick interacts with fans during the Michigan spring football game at Michigan Stadium on April 2, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kaepernick was honorary captain for the game. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 15: Eli Harold #58, Colin Kaepernick #7 and Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel in protest on the sideline, during the anthem, prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on October 16, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the 49ers 45-16. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 15: Eli Harold #58, Colin Kaepernick #7 and Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel in protest on the sideline, during the anthem, prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on October 16, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the 49ers 45-16. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

Colin Kaepernick is a perfect fit for the Raiders on every level

The Raiders have always loved trailblazers and rebels

This is exactly the type of player the Colin Kaepernick is who has famously not played a down of NFL football since 2016 after he began kneeling to call attention to several social justice issues he held close to his heart. In his own way Kaepernick is one of the ultimate rebels in the NFL but his rebellion hasn’t come in the form of ripping off his pads mid-game and dancing in the end zone or going on benders after games, but rather it has come in the form of simply asking Americans to take a closer look at what is really happening in their country.

Kaepernick has made some missteps along the way and may have alienated some fans with his messaging but at the core of it, he is bringing attention to important causes and trying to help marginalized people. Al Davis would have loved this rebel streak in Kaepernick and I firmly believe he would have been the first owner to sign him after the 2016 season given his track record.

Al was always on the side of racial justice and famously would not agree to play games in cities where his Black players would be segregated from the rest of the team. Perhaps he may have issues with the form of Kaepernick’s protests but the message itself would likely have been well received by Al.

Mark Davis seems like he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps as a trailblazer as he has been outspoken about not signing players with histories of domestic violence and has spoken out about racial justice in the wake of the George Floyd murder and beyond. Mark has said that he has always believed in Kaepernick but would not force his coaches to sign him.

Knowing what we know about Jack Del Rio and Jon Gruden’s politics thanks to their public comments and private emails it is obvious why they would not sign Kaepernick during their tenure. They made it clear that they agreed with former President Donald Trump when he called the players kneeling “sons of bitches” and said they should not be in the NFL. The Raiders have a new regime in place and whatever their political leanings may be, they have agreed to at least work Kaepernick out which is a step in the right direction.

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