Colin Kaepernick recently revealed that he hasn’t watched an NFL game in eight years, despite remaining deeply connected to the sport. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who last played in the NFL in 2016, shared this information during an appearance at the Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live Conference in California, where he was joined by prominent figures like Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, composer Hans Zimmer, and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Kaepernick, now 36, hasn’t been an active player since his last season with the 49ers, where he became a polarizing figure for his decision to kneel during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice and police brutality.
Though he hasn’t played in the NFL since, Kaepernick remains engaged with the league in a different way. When asked by The Wall Street Journal’s Andrew Beaton if he still watches the NFL, Kaepernick responded, “I haven’t watched a game in 8 years.” However, the former quarterback clarified that he still follows the league closely, particularly through player statistics.
“I still check everybody’s stats. It also informs who my agent reaches out to,” Kaepernick explained. “I see what’s going on. I don’t ever turn a game on though, because I’m not gonna support in that way, but I need to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s happening with quarterbacks out there.” His continued interest in quarterback stats indicates that Kaepernick is keeping himself ready in case an opportunity to return to the field arises, even though he chooses not to watch games as a form of protest.
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Despite his long absence from the NFL, Kaepernick has not ruled out a return to the sport. He has maintained a rigorous training regimen, which he described at the WSJ event. “I still wake up every morning and train. I’ve had to adjust my schedule a little bit, which saying this out loud sounds a little bizarre, but I get up at 3:30 a.m. and I start my workday, and then I go do my training,” he shared. “I still train every day, I still train the way I was when I was playing, making sure that I’m ready at any given moment.” This dedication underscores Kaepernick’s readiness to take the field again if given the chance, despite the league’s apparent reluctance to bring him back.
In recent weeks, rumors surfaced that Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh—who coached Kaepernick for four seasons with the 49ers—was interested in bringing him onto his coaching staff.
However, Kaepernick quickly dispelled those rumors during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, stating, “It is not true.” He added that he only learned about the coaching rumors after seeing them on social media.
When asked about coaching, Kaepernick was clear: “No interest in coaching… I need the adrenaline rush of playing and being in it, or I think I can have more impact in other places with my time.” Instead of stepping into a coaching role, Kaepernick has reportedly expressed interest in playing for the U.S. flag football team at the Olympics, further highlighting his desire to stay active in the sport in some capacity.
Kaepernick’s name will forever be associated with his high-profile protest during the national anthem, which ignited a national conversation about racial inequality and led to widespread player activism across the NFL.
His protest made headlines around the world, and in 2019, Kaepernick settled a grievance with the NFL in which he alleged that team owners were colluding to keep him out of the league due to his activism.
Outside of football, Kaepernick has been busy with a new venture—founding the tech startup Lumi. His appearance at the WSJ Tech Live Conference alongside industry leaders further reflects his shift into entrepreneurship and activism, using his platform to advocate for change in both the tech world and beyond.
Though Kaepernick hasn’t set foot on an NFL field in years, his legacy within the sport remains undeniable. His commitment to his values, relentless training regimen, and readiness to step back onto the field suggest that he hasn’t given up on playing professionally again, even if his path remains uncertain.
For now, Kaepernick is focused on what lies ahead, keeping his eyes on player stats, while his heart remains with the game he once dominated.
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