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Ex-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, out of NFL for 6 years, to try out for Raiders

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick throws during halftime of an NCAA college football intra-squad spring game, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)Colin Rand Kaepernick
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick throws during halftime of an NCAA college football intra-squad spring game, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)Colin Rand Kaepernick AP

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is getting a shot at returning to the NFL after sitting out for six years.

It was reported by ESPN that the 34-year-old is scheduled to tryout with the Las Vegas Raiders this week.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed the news and reported that the workout is Wednesday, May 25.

Kaepernick last played for the 49ers in 2016, but was released after he kneeled during the national anthem for multiple games to protest police brutality and institutionalized racism in America, Sports Illustrated reported.

He filed a lawsuit against the NFL in 2017, stating that owners “colluded against him to keep him out of the league” after kneeling.

The strong-armed quarterback has stated that he wishes to play in the NFL and still trains. During an episode of his “I Am Athlete” podcast in April, Kaepernick expressed that he’s fine returning to the league as a backup quarterback, Sports Illustrated said.

“I know I have to find my way back in. So if I have to come in as a backup, that’s fine,” Kaepernick told said on the podcast. “But that’s not where I’m staying. And when I prove that I’m a starter, I want to be able to step on the field as such. I just need that opportunity to walk through the door.”

This story was originally published May 25, 2022 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Ex-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, out of NFL for 6 years, to try out for Raiders."

TJ Macias
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
TJ Macías is a Real-Time national sports reporter for McClatchy based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Formerly, TJ covered the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers beat for numerous media outlets including 24/7 Sports and Mavs Maven (Sports Illustrated). Twitter: @TayloredSiren
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