Colin Kaepernick will be considered for a return to NFL rosters following a private workout session held this Saturday (Nov. 16) in Atlanta, GA. The former football player announced the upcoming workout on Twitter.
“I’m just getting word from my representatives that the NFL league office reached out to them about a workout in Atlanta on Saturday,” Kaepernick wrote on Tuesday (Nov. 12). “I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years, can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.”
In a press statement, the NFL revealed the workout session will allow football teams to evaluate Kaepernick’s “readiness and level of interest” in returning to the league.
“Earlier this year, we discussed some possible steps with his representatives and they recently emphasized his level of preparation and that he is ready to work out for clubs and be interviewed by them,” the statement read. “We have therefore arranged this opportunity for him to work out, and for all clubs to have the opportunity to evaluate his current readiness and level of interest in resuming his NFL career.”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kaepernick’s agents say he is eager to return to the NFL. Kaepernick’s representatives are reportedly awaiting a list of “personnel executives and coaches” who will be attending Saturday’s workout.
The workout session will consist of on-field work and interviews with Kaepernick. All 32 NFL teams have been invited to attend and videos of the event will be made available to each team.
J. Cole, who has been vocal in his support of Kaepernick for years, congratulated the athlete on Twitter.
“This gon be the hardest jersey of all time,” he wrote. “Show out bro.”
As of Wednesday (Nov. 13), TMZ has reported that a representative from the Miami Dolphins will be in attendance.
Following his departure from the 49ers in 2016, Kaepernick stayed unsigned through the off-season and during 2017. Many thought the football player had been blackballed over his advocacy for the Black Lives Matter movement, which he demonstrated by kneeling during the national anthem.
In November of 2017, Kaepernick sued the NFL, accusing owners of colluding against him to keep him out of the league. This February, it was announced that Kaepernick reached a confidential settlement with the NFL and withdrew the suit.