In America we all enjoy entertainment often, we have sports that played throughout every season. We even go as far as scheduling them separate as they'd interfere with each other and they wouldn't individually succeed as much. We want to make sure that each one has their own spotlight and for one of them, we basically designate a day for them. All of the major television and entertainment industries want in on some of the profits, attention and air time that this sport provides whether it be through commercials, ads on the field or concessions in the stadiums. It just so happens to be that this sport is American Football and America has the National Football League, the most competitive and popular American Football league in the world. 

           The NFL or National Football League, is full of players who are incredibly gifted with athleticism and instinctual qualities. If you combine that with performing at an adequate level you end up with an average career and if you're lucky, once you retire you land a job within the NFL. In an already highly competitive league with the widely considered best athletes in the world, one player put it all on the line and stood up for something bigger than the sport. Colin Kaepernick, a former NFL, current Free Agent Quarterback decided he wanted to take a kneel during the National Anthem after reportedly being advised by Nate Boyer, a former NFL Long Snapper and United States Army Green Beret that kneeling during the National Anthem would be the most respectful way to protest during the National Anthem. What was Colin protesting you may ask. Kaepernick decided he was going to peacefully protest Police Brutality and Racial Inequality in America. Early on Kaepernick didn't see too much scrutiny but as time went on and more players players of all races joined in on the protest, the NFL and the American Public reacted in ways that made it seem like what he was doing was wrong. As any human who's passionate about a subject would do, Colin continued protesting. Along the way the NFL owners and GM's publicly stated how they felt about it and the general consensus didn't go in Colin's favor but he stood strong. Remember, this is a popular player who at one point in time stood as the top jersey sold in the NFL. Some might say, "Did he perform?" If you consider making the Super Bowl in your first year playing in the postseason while breaking Michael Vick's records and the following year falling 1 game shy of the Super Bowl and only losing to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Seahawks, then yes, I'd say he performed highly in those instances. He slowly declined after but many would agree that it wasn't during the right circumstances and he was plagued by injuries and didn't play a full season his last two seasons in the league. Overall, I'd say that the athleticism and drive were there as he pushed through injuries and showed publicly he wanted to play. 

        In the following years after the San Francisco 49ers rightfully declined re-signing Colin Kaepernick, there were many other teams in the NFL that decided it was time to sign a quarterback, whether it be a starter or a quarterback in the back up role. Signing after signing, the same questions were asked. How did this quarterback perform before, what are their talents, what are their weaknesses, etc. The statistical backing that Colin Kaepernick had should've been enough for him to earn the right to a job in the NFL you'd think. You definitely thought that he should've earned a chance to compete for even a backup position. All things considered, the former record-breaking quarterback didn't and to this day hasn't earned a chance to prove himself in an NFL facility or field. The harsh reality is that it's not because of his lack of being athletically gifted or ability to perform, it seems as if it is his personal opinions about Police Brutality and Racial Inequality that are holding back the 32 year old's chance in the NFL. He's been working years to achieve his childhood dream to become a quarterback in the NFL and once he finally did, it was taken away from him for his opinions off the field. Opinions that have shown to be considered for change. I urge everyone who's reading this to sign for Colin Kaepernick to be considered for a tryout on an NFL team, in an NFL Facility, allow him a chance to prove himself and get back his dream. We're all dreamers at one point in our life, why make someone feel like they're not allowed to. 

Thank you.