Eight NFL teams showed up to watch a private workout with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick following a last-minute change in location. The NFL organized the private workout for Kaepernick and NFL teams at the Atlanta Falcons' facility in Flowery Branch on Saturday (November 16).
Officials and scouts from 25 teams had already shown up when Kaepernick informed them that he would be at Charles R. Drew High School in Riverdale, which is about 60 miles away. Kaepernick was not happy with the terms of the workout, which was not going to open to the public or the media.
While most of the teams decided to head back home, officials from eight teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans made the trek to Riverdale.
They watched as Kaepernick showed he can still play, launching deep, accurate passes to former NFL receivers Brice Butler, Bruce Ellington, Jordan Veasy, and Ari Wertz. Following the 40-minute workout, Kaepernick addressed the media and said that it is time for him to return to the NFL.
"I've been ready for three years,'' Kaepernick said. "I've been denied for three years. We all know why I came out here. [I] showed it today in front of everybody. We have nothing to hide. So we're waiting for the 32 owners, 32 teams, Roger Goodell, all of them stop running. Stop running from the truth. Stop running from the people."
The NFL was not happy that Kaepernick blew off the workout they organized in favor of his own.
“We are disappointed that Colin did not appear for his workout. He informed us of that decision at 2:30 pm today along with the public,” the statement read. “Today's session was designed to give Colin what he has consistently said he wants — an opportunity to show his football readiness and desire to return to the NFL.”
While Kaepernick looked good on the field, it is unclear if any team will offer him a contract.
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