President Trump said he thinks Colin Kaepernick should get another opportunity to play in the National Football League.
“If he deserves it, he should. If he has the playing ability. He started off great, and then he didn’t end up very great … as a player,” Trump told WABC TV’s Scott Thuman on Wednesday. “He was terrific in his rookie year, I think he was very good in his second year, then something happened, so his playing wasn’t up to snuff.”
“The answer is, absolutely, I would. As far as kneeling, I would love to see him get another shot, but obviously, he has to be able to play well. If he can’t play well, I think it would be very unfair,” the president added.
“Absolutely I would,” support @Kaepernick7 getting a 2nd shot in the @NFL — @POTUS in my interview today on racism, policing, statues & yes–sports. #ColinKaepernick pic.twitter.com/0B83cNbesW
— Scott Thuman (@ScottThuman) June 17, 2020
The statement is a divergence for Trump, who once said that players who kneel in protest during the national anthem are “sons of bitches” who should be fired. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who has been a free agent since 2017, began a movement of players kneeling during the national anthem to demonstrate against police brutality and racial injustice.
Those issues are now at the center of public conversation as protests continue across the United States following the death of George Floyd. Trump’s comments come after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he would welcome a team signing Kaepernick.
“Well, listen, if he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously, it’s gonna take a team to make that decision,” Goodell said. “But I welcome that, support a club making that decision, and encourage them to do that.”
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll also said last week that he had received a call about Kaepernick, hinting that the former player might have a future in the NFL.
“I got a phone call today asking and inquiring about the situation,” he said last Thursday. “I know somebody is interested, so we’ll see what happens with that.”
