Colin Kaepernick has formally requested that he join the New York Jets practice squad after their loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a torn Achilles in the 2023 season. The veteran player has not been on an NFL roster since 2017 following his protest of protest police brutality and racism in the U.S.
In a letter posted Tuesday on Instagram by J. Cole, the rapper said that he had asked Kaepernick for permission to share it with the world. “He was reluctant,” wrote J. Cole. “My argument was that I believe the people and all organizations should know the truth about how hard he works and how much he still wants to play. And always has. In the end, he agreed to let me. I wish the @nyjets organization luck. My boy @bas is a big ass fan so I saw the heartbreak of every Jets fan when Arod went down @richeisen Everyone from players, to coaches, to execs are feeling the pressure I’m sure. I hope y’all can turn it around, and I hope there’s a spot out there for my boy Kap.”
“I’m writing, of course, in response to the unfortunate loss of Aaron Rodgers,” Kaepernick began in the letter addressed to Jets General Manager Joe Douglas. “I know the aspirations this season were, and still are, to win a championship, and so that Hall of Fame sized hole will need to be filled as best aas possible to keep the team on a Super Bowl track. As of right now, Zach Wilson is charged with that task, and I wish him and the rest of the team the best moving forward.”
Kaepernick led the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl in 2012 and nearly took them to another the following year. He was dropped by the 49ers at the end of the 2016 season — throughout which he knelt during the national anthem in protest of racial inequality and police brutality. Kaepernick has been unable to find a team since, and in February of 2019, he reached a settlement with the NFL after accusing the league of collusion and blacklisting him because of his protest.
He continued, “As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I’m writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me; I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad.”
Kaepernick, who turns 36 in November, then outlined his plan for preparing the Jets’ defense before concluding, “I’ve never retired or stopped training. My training schedule has remained the same for 6 years; Monday through Friday, 5am-8am training on the field and in the weight room. I’ve kept this training schedule without failure for the past 6 years, in hopes that an opportunity will present itself. I say this to give you some perspective on where I’m at physically. I have also attached a list of my references within the league that will vouch for my character, work ethic and ability.”
This is a developing story…