Category: NFL

“Megatron” pipe-dream for the Raiders; Former Lion Calvin Johnson on wish list

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In this Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015 AP File Photo, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) warms ups before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field in Detroit. Johnson says NFL players could get painkillers like they were “candy” during the first half of his career with the Detroit Lions. His comments were part of a wide-ranging interview on ESPN’s news magazine E:60 that was scheduled to be broadcast Thursday, July 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND–The rumors swirling around retired wide receiver Calvin Johnson wanting to return to the NFL and play for the Oakland Raiders are intriguing in so many ways that it makes my head spin.

This is nothing more than a pipe-dream, a “Megatron” pipe-dream for the Raiders.

Johnson, who retired from the Lions in his prime at age 30 after the 2015 season after an 88-catch season for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns, didn’t see Detroit as a championship contender.

Whenever I talk football with my mentor and lifelong Raiders fan Ronn Ford and the Lions come up, he always says that “Detroit will never win a championship because they can’t win outside of Wayne County.”

Detroit sits in Wayne County for those who didn’t know.

Johnson’s frustration for the Lions’ shortcomings was reminiscent of another Lions great in running back Barry Sanders, who also retired at age 30 because Detroit never could get over the hump and challenge for a Super Bowl.

During Johnson’s nine-year career in the Motor City, the Lions have only made the playoffs twice and lost both times, while Detroit was just 1-5 in six appearances in Sanders’s 10 seasons.

Johnson mentioned that the reason he retired from the Lions were a result from nagging hand, legs and ankle injuries, but honestly, Johnson knew the Lions organization couldn’t put the pieces in place to make a legitimate run at a Super Bowl. Sure Johnson had Matthew Stafford to throw him the football, but the Lions could never develop a strong  running game to take the pressure off the duo and that left Detroit predictable on offense.

That happened to Sanders, who had play-making wide receivers in Herman Moore, Brett Perriman and Johnnie Morton to play off of, but saw a revolving door at quarterback with the likes Andre Ware, Erik Kramer, Scott Mitchell and Charlie Batch under center.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing a solid 239 pounds, Johnson was blessed with rare size and ability to make the toughest catches look so routine on any given Sunday when he was usually double- and triple-teamed.

There isn’t one signature play that stands out for me when describing Johnson, but his career numbers are insane: 731 career catches, 11,619 receiving yards and 83 touchdown catches that led to six Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro,  and the cover of Madden ’13.

By all accounts, Johnson earned the respect from all of his teammates and from opponents and cemented that he was one of the NFL’s best players at any position, not just wide receiver.

But before Raider Nation gets excited about the prospect of seeing “Megatron” don the Raiders’ Silver & Black and lineup in three-wide receiver formations with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree waiting for a pinpoint pass from quarterback Derek Carr, Johnson must first reapply to the NFL and return to the Lions, who hold his rights. While as a guest at the Italian Bowl earlier this month, Johnson shed some light regarding his situation with the Lions.

“I don’t have the freedom just to go,” Johnson said. “I was stuck in my contract with Detroit and they told me they would not release my contract, so I would have to come back to them, so I didn’t see a chance for them to win a Super Bowl at the time and for the work that I was putting in, it wasn’t worth my time to keep beating my head against the wall and not going anywhere. It’s the definition of insanity.”

Johnson did go on to say that he has thought about playing for other teams, but it would be up to Detroit to if they were to release Johnson should he want to return to the NFL.

Detroit recently invited Johnson to training camp this season, but there hasn’t been any word from Johnson if he would accept the invitation.

The Raiders, who are coming off a 12-4 season and their first playoff appearance since 2002, have the Super Bowl window wide open right now.

Johnson was invited to Raiders practices this offseason as a guest of new offensive coordinator Todd Downing. Downing and Johnson go back to Detroit where Downing spent five years in the organization, four of them served as the team’s quarterbacks coach.

Johnson’s situation is eerily similar to new Raiders running back and Oakland native Marshawn Lynch’s situation after he retired abruptly at age 29 from Seattle at the end of the 2015 season, a team he helped bring its first Lombardi trophy to the Pacific Northwest after the 2013 season.

The Raiders lured Lynch out of retirement but Seattle couldn’t afford and didn’t want him on the team so rather than out-right releasing Lynch and get nothing in return, the Seahawks shipped Lynch to Oakland and the sides agreed to a new deal.

Oakland and Seattle are expected to swap late-round picks in 2018 as part of the compensation in the deal for Lynch.

The deal made sense for both teams since it freed Seattle of Lynch (who allegedly rubbed some in the organization the wrong way depending on who you ask), and allowed Lynch to play for his hometown Raiders.

To acquire a player like Johnson, who can step on any football field right now and dominate with any quarterback, could cost a team a high second-round draft pick or even a late first-round pick. If I were the Lions and Johnson does want to come back and play for another team, you must hold out for the best deal possible.

Would general manager Reggie McKenzie give up those assets for Johnson, even if he turns out to be a one- to two-year rental player for Oakland?

After getting rid of eroding contracts and players that didn’t fit in the team’s future, McKenzie has drafted cornerstone players in the aforementioned Carr and Cooper, to go along with defensive end/linebacker Khalil Mack and offensive guard Gabe Jackson to have given the Raiders stability it hasn’t seen in ages.

Again, a lot of the talk of Johnson joining the Raiders is just lip service and a good conversation to have a few beers over at your favorite sports bar, but maybe its the football gods trying to re-write the history books for both franchises.

Armed with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Raiders drafted Louisiana State University quarterback JaMarcus Russell while the Lions quickly scooped up Johnson at No. 2 out of Georgia Tech.

On opening day of the 2007 season, the rookie Johnson caught four balls for 70 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown catch in Detroit’s 36-21 road victory over the Raiders.

To this day, Raider Nation has to be kicking itself as Johnson was on his way into becoming a superstar and possibly a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, while Russell would be out of the league in three years for weight issues and poor play.

 

 

 

 

Headline Sports Podcast with Tony Renteria: OJ to be paroled in October; Most likely to live with his children in Florida

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Former NFL football star O.J. Simpson reacts after learning he was granted parole at Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nev., on Thursday, July 20, 2017. Simpson was convicted in 2008 of enlisting some men he barely knew, including two who had guns, to retrieve from two sports collectibles sellers some items that Simpson said were stolen from him a decade earlier. (Jason Bean/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP, Pool)

On the Headlines Sports Podcast with Tony:

1 OJ Simpson former San Francisco 49ers running back after spending nine years in Lovelock Correctional Facility in Nevada is set to be paroled on October 1st. Simpson was told by the board that he would be paroled for the crime of robbery for his sports merchandise in a Vegas Hotel. Simpson simply said, “Oh God Oh” when he was told he would be paroled.

2 Tony talks about how the stigma of the 1992 double murder charges which Simpson was found not guilty of and how his nine year property robbery sentence played a role in those murder charges as sort of pay back

3 The Los Angeles Clippers signing of star Blake Griffin to a five year deal was as Griffin put it a no brainer, Griffin said he started his career in LA and wants to end it with the Clippers

4 Race car driver Dale Earnhardt’s wife Amy said on social media that this would be Earnhardt’s finals season of auto racing. Earnhardt has suffered enough concussions and that his recovery process from the injuries were taking a toll and that she wanted to see Earnhardt to stay healthy and live out his many remaining years

Tony Renteria does Headline Sports Podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: Trout and Harper highlight series for Halos-Nats; OJ most likely to get out jail pass; plus more headlines

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FILE – In this May 14, 2013 pool file photo, O.J. Simpson sits during a break on the second day of an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas. Simpson, the former football star, TV pitchman and now Nevada prison inmate, will have a lot going for him when he appears before state parole board members Thursday, July 20, 2017 seeking his release after more than eight years for an ill-fated bid to retrieve sports memorabilia. (AP Photo/Ethan Miller, Pool, File)

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast:

1 Mike Trout of the LA Angels and Bryce Harper of the Washington Nats match up in this series in Anaheim starting tonight. Tickets reportedly moving briskly for the series as the Nats take a five game win streak into the series

2 Former San Francisco 49ers running back OJ Simpson will be appearing at a parole hearing this coming Thursday to see whether or not a parole board will set him free after spending nine years in a Las Vegas jail for his participation in a hotel burglary in trying to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson says was his property.

3 Oakland A’s executive vice president Billy Beane said that after any A’s team that had successful players it’s difficult to keep those players because often they get offered more salary elsewhere and Oakland has basically been a jump off point or stepping stone for players when another team comes calling

4 Former San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kapernick who has not signed on with an NFL club yet may not get the chance soon according to former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. Vick said Kaepernick should have his afro cut and get a respectable haircut before the NFL let’s him back. More reliable sources say Kaepernick is being kept out for taking a knee during the national anthem. Kaepernick responded today by saying he would consider getting the haircut.

Amaury has much more on the podcast take a listen below

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week, also he is the Angels Spanish TV voice, the Oakland A’s Spanish radio voice.

 

 

Headline Sports Podcast with Tony Renteria: Sherman says NFLPA should strike if players can’t get guaranteed contracts; owners will never agree to it

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AP File Photo: Seattle Seahawks’ Richard Sherman catches at a walkthrough NFL football practice to open training camp on Thursday, July 28, 2011, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

On the Headline Sports Podcast with Tony:

Richard Sherman corner for the Seattle Seahawks says that the players should vote to strike if they don’t get guaranteed contracts much like players in MLB and the NBA receive. This is something that all NFL players want those guaranteed contracts the NFL CBA runs out by 2021.  I would argue that the age of an NFL player is about three and half years. The owners are not going to hand out guaranteed contracts to the players in the NFL.

They make a second contract or a first contract and this is based on if a player sticks around after that amount of time anyway. After these players come out of the draft I doubt your going to be able to get those guaranteed contracts. Maybe on second tier players and their injuries that’s going to be there too. The difference between MLB and the NFL players is MLB has 25 guys on a roster they have a development system they have some history on them.

The NFL doesn’t have that they don’t have a developmental league they come with some character and college before they go out there. A lot of the problem with the NFL players is there are situations that happen off the field. Guaranteed contracts in the NFL just won’t happen.

Catch  the rest of Tony’s headline commentary on today’s podcast and each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Categories NFL

Former San Francisco 49er punter Runager found dead in parking lot

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AP File Photo: Punter Max Runager (4) and kicker Ray Wersching (14) on Tuesday, July 29, 1986 in Rocklin, California. San Francisco training camp. (AP Photo/Al Golub)

By Jeremy Harness and Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA–Former San Francisco 49ers punter Max Runager was found in his vehicle in a South Carolina parking lot with the motor running according to Runager’s father Geb on June 30th. A police officer spokesman told the media that there was no suspicion of foul play. Runager was found dead in a Orangeburg parking lot he was 61.

Runager also was a former punter for the Philadelphia Eagles and was a key part of the Eagles success in their 1980 season drive towards a Super Bowl birth and championship over the Oakland Raiders. Runager won another Super Bowl this time with the 1984 San Francisco 49ers against the Miami Dolphins in a game played at Stanford Stadium.

Geb said that Runager fell off the roof of his home while trying to cleaning the gutters from the fallen leaves in December. Runager refused medical help after it was diagnosed that he had fractured a vertebrae which only got worse and Runager had to use a walker after suffering a fall that resulted in a broken leg.

It can only be assumed at this point from the untreated vertebrae and the broken leg and being in a walker that it might have had some role in Runager’s death but doctors will make that determination at a later date. Runager’s family said they will donate Runager’s brain to science and that it will be examined for CTE like symptoms much like many NFL families who want to find out if their family members suffered from the concussion like syndrome from playing in the NFL.

Runager’s career numbers with San Francisco and Philadelphia was 661 career punts averaging 40.2 per punt. Runager’s father Geb said that when Runager refused medical help for the broke vertebrae that the younger Runager said he was “NFL tough” and didn’t need medical help.

Joe Lami is the 49ers beat writer and Jeremy Harness does 49ers previews and commentaries at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Carr and Raiders agree on 5-year, $125M extension

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AP File Photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND, Calif — The Oakland Raiders knew they had something special at quarterback with Derek Carr.

Now, he is paid like one.

Carr and the Raiders have agreed to a five-year, $125 million extension, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, noting a source close to the negotiations. Carr’s new contact makes him the highest paid player in terms of average money per year ($25 million per), moving past Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

Before breaking his leg on Christmas Eve in a home loss to the Colts, the 26-year-old Carr was having an MVP-type of season, throwing for 3,937 yards with 28 touchdowns to just six interceptions. In three seasons, Carr has thrown for 11,191 yards, 81 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.

Carr was finishing up his rookie deal, and was scheduled to make less than $1 million in base salary this season before agreeing to the new deal. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, Carr’s deal includes $70 million in guarantees with $40 million guaranteed at signing.

With Carr’s deal now completed, the Raiders should turn their attention in locking up defensive linchpin Khalil Mack long-term.

The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year after an 11-sack season in 2016 that included a pick-6 interception, has a team option through 2018, but you’d think that general manager Reggie McKenzie would want to keep the nucleus of the team intact and Mack is a big part of the Raiders’ future.

Information from this report provided from the NFL Network and USA Today.

 

 

 

San Francisco 49ers Podcast Report with David Zizmor: Santa Clara Mayor says notion that the 49ers have paid all their bills “makes me laugh”

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AP photo file: Inside the disputed Levis Stadium before a game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers from this Oct 6, 2016 photo as the City of Santa Clara say the 49ers are on the hook for over $2.1 million in stadium construction and parking overruns

by David Zizmor

SANTA CLARA–Cost overruns, unpaid parking use on a city owned golf course ($719,000) and emergency services and a beat up fan in the 49ers bathroom during a 2014 game (total $488,000), stadium cost over runs ($894,000) are just a few of the bills the city of Santa Clara are saying the 49ers are in for. San Francisco 49ers media relations manager Bob Lange has said that the 49ers are in accordance with their construction obligation and further that the team has paid all their bills to the city. Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor said that the notion that the 49ers have paid all their bills and that they have met all their all obligations “makes me laugh.”

The dispute between the 49ers and the City most likely won’t reach the inside of a courtroom and that it would settled behind closed doors in arbitration. There are all sorts of issues with the team like the construction overruns, the parking bills, the use of golf course land for emergency vehicles and how the 49ers and the city will address each issue with the scenario of an arbitrator asking for the 49ers to come up with receipts showing they are up to snuff with the City.

There’s more on this issue join Dave below on the San Francisco 49ers podcast below at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

FDA approves Radicava, 49ers legend Dwight Clark may try new treatment

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Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark runs onto the field before the start of the “Legends of Candlestick” flag football game Saturday, July 12, 2014, in San Francisco. The game between former San Francisco 49er greats and a team of former NFL stars captained by Hall of Famer Dan Marino is the final one to be played at Candlestick Park. The park, which opened in 1960 and was also the home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team until 1999, is slated for demolition in the next year. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

By: Ana Kieu

For the first time in more than two decades, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new drug for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The FDA announced on Friday that Radicava, also known as edaravone, has been approved for use in the United States. The other only drug used to treat ALS is called Riluzone, which was approved in 1995.

Various tests conducted in Japan determined that ALS victims who received edaravone experienced a lower decline in their daily level of functioning compared to those who received a placebo. Edaravone creator MT Pharma said that the drug can reduce the decline of physical function by 33 percent.

Deputy director of the FDA’s neurology products division Eric Bastings said his federal agency learned about the use of edaravone to treat ALS in Japan and filed a marketing application with the drug developer. Bastings also mentioned that his agency was pleased that people with ALS have an addition treatment option.

ALS is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease. Gehrig was a well-known baseball player who retired on June 21, 1939, due to the condition. The New York Yankees retired his No. 4 and he became the first player in MLB history to receive that honor. He played for the Yankees as a first baseman from 1923 to 1939. He passed away in his home in the Riverdale neighborhood of The Bronx, New York, on June 2, 1941, at the age of 37.

In 2014, ALS returned to the spotlight, thanks to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The campaign was all over social media. Many people posted videos of themselves dumping cold water on their heads. In just eight weeks, the ALS Association received $115 million dollars in donations. These donations helped fund important developments in ALS research.

The CDC says that 12,000 to 15,000 Americans have ALS. The majority of these sufferers first found out they had the disease between the ages of 55 and 75. For the most part, sufferers live two to five years after discovering they have it. Conversely, ALS is a little more common in men as opposed to women. Nobody knows what causes the disease, but 5% to 10% of all ALS cases emerge within families. People with ancestral ALS live an average of one to two years after symptoms appear.

ALS Association President Barbara Newhouse commended the approval of Radicava. Newhouse thanked the FDA and MT Pharma for working together to speed up the approval of the brand-new ALS treatment. She hopes the announcement can signal the beginning of a new chapter in the fight against the disease.

Radicava is an intravenous infusion that must be prescribed by a doctor. The drug is administered in 28-day cycles and its cost is $1,000 per infusion, which amounts to almost $150,000 a year for ALS treatment. MT Pharma will offer co-pay assistance for insured patients. They also mentioned an unnamed program to help help uninsured patients who meet certain requirements.

MT Pharma announced that Radicava will be available in the United States this August.

There has been no word from Clark yet on whether or not he’ll consider using edaravone. Clark was diagnosed with ALS on March 20. Edaravone can slow down the progression of ALS when started early. He has said in the past that he would fight like hell against ALS so there’s a chance he’ll use this new drug to battle his condition.

Gareon Conley stirs the pot after being accused of rape

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Ohio State defensive back Gareon Conley runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By: Ana Kieu

The Oakland Raiders drafted Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley in the first round with the 24th overall pick during the 2017 NFL Draft.

Getting drafted should be a joyous moment for both the player and his new NFL team, but this wasn’t the case for Conley. Just days before Conley was selected by the Raiders, a 23-year-old woman accused him of raping her at a Cleveland hotel on April 9. She claimed that she met Conley in an elevator at 3 a.m. and he propositioned her and another woman to have a foursome. She also claimed that Conley had sex with her after watching another couple have sex. The case remains ongoing as Conley denied her allegations.

Conley’s lawyer said that he won’t talk to Cleveland police until after the draft. Conley went through an interview and submitted his DNA on Monday, according to his attorney Kevin Spellacy. Spellacy also said that he’s been trying to obtain video surveillance from the Westin Hotel, but his attempts have been unsuccessful so far. Two of Conley’s friends told the police that nothing happened between Conley and the unnamed woman, who got upset when they asked her to leave.

Despite all the negativity, Conley is ecstatic about being selected in the first round of the draft. He sent out a tweet last Thursday, giving shoutouts to his Ohio State teammates, cornerback Marshon Lattimore (New Orleans Saints, first round, 11th overall pick) and safety Malik Hooker (Indianapolis Colts, first round, 15th overall pick).

Conley also retweeted tweets from quarterback Derek Carr and defensive end and linebacker Khalil Mack.

It’s clear the Raiders got what they wanted. They were looking for an upgrade at the cornerback position. Conley’s draft position called for a $5.8 million signing bonus on top of a four-year rookie contract worth $10.5 million. However, his draft value can decrease and that’s not a good thing.

Conley had doubts about his NFL future, but he knows that he must take responsibility for his actions. He said that he didn’t know what he was getting himself into at the time and could’ve used his judgement to make better decisions. When he got drafted, things felt surreal and he felt much more special.

Conley’s storyline doesn’t consist of him being an entitled athlete who vanished in the big leagues. He’s a humble man who attended Massillon Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio. He finished his high school career with 50 receptions, 25 tackles, 16 touchdowns on offense and an interception on defense. He also visits his high school occasionally to tell students about the significance of coaching and doing things the correct way.

Conley initially committed to the University of Michigan, but later switched to the Ohio State University. In 2013, he reshirted his freshman year. In 2014, he played in all 15 games, recording 16 tackles. In 2015, he started all 13 games, recording 49 tackles and two interceptions. In 2016, he was named the Second Team All-Big Ten and Third Team. He forwent his senior year to enter the 2017 NFL Draft.

Not many residents in Conley’s hometown of Massillon express doubt in him.

Washington High offensive coach Joe Pierce said that Conley wasn’t the best player in his junior year as he slowed down due to a broken arm, but continued to excel on defense. As a senior, Conley caught 51 passes for 1,095 yards and 16 touchdowns in addition to being a top-rated defensive back.

Former defensive back Dan Hackenbracht said that Conley’s self-discipline and dedication set him apart from others, adding that he also studied film at a different level.

Conley’s stepmother provided a financial incentive to her son to play college football. She has a daughter named Dajia who had a lower chance of attending college at no cost due to the fact that she’s a cheerleader. Conley ended up obtaining his dream scholarship.

Besides, the rape allegation against Conley might not even be true. Both Conley and the female accuser admitted they were in the same hotel room, but he already took a polygraph test and passed it before the draft.

A recent video posted online shows the accuser following him inside and outside a Cleveland bar and even reaching out to touch him.

No charges have been filed against Conley. He maintained his innocence throughout the process. Yes, he could be indicted, despite passing a polygraph test. However, these are two separate issues — whether he’s telling the truth and whether the evidence would allow a prescutor to indict him.

The process demands for a one-sided introduction of evidence with the defendant having no representation. The legal standard for an indictment is lower than the standard required for a conviction. The prosecutor has to convince the grand jury that probable cause exists to believe a crime was committed. The fact that the defendant has nobody arguing the opposite position makes it easy to receive an indictment.

Many people believe that a judge has the most power within the justice system, but the truth is that the prosecutor does. He decides who gets charged, who doesn’t get charged and what they both get charged with. If this prosecutor decides that the victim told the truth and that the defendant didn’t or if he simply decides to turn the defendant’s life upside down, an indictment can be acquired.

Yet, there are two factors that could influence the process, and that’s when the victim was administered a rape kit and Conley has agreed to provide a DNA sample. Nothing happened between Conley and the victim, according to his defense along with the witnesses in the hotel room.

Conley is innocent until proven guilty.

Did Trump play a role to keep Kaepernick out?

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick talks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Los Angeles. The San Francisco 49ers won 22-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

By: Ana Kieu

Did the NFL collude to keep Colin Kaepernick out? The obvious answer is that he’s a distraction, but the hardest question is how all of this happened.

Before the San Francisco 49ers hosted the Green Bay Packers in a preseason game last August, Kaepernick refrained from standing up during the national anthem, choosing to kneel on the sideline. His refusal to stand stirred the pot and bothered a lot of people including veterans. However, there are some gray lines when it comes to the idea of not standing because it can signal a lack of allegiance to the nation he currently resides in.

Kneeling wasn’t the only thing Kaepernick has done that generated controversy. He also spoke out about the reasoning behind his protest. A number of African-American athletes have spoken out about the higher rates of police violence in black communities, including Kaepernick. He said that he protested the crimes against people of color in the United States.

Kaepernick doesn’t want to show pride in the American flag because the country oppresses people of color. To him, the protest is more important than the sport of football. He dislikes how there are dead bodies laying in the streets and officers are getting paid leave instead of receiving prison time. He could care less if he receives approval, he just wants to stand up for what’s right.

The 49ers mentioned that the national anthem will always be a special part of the pregame ceremony. It’s an opportunity for people to honor their country and reflect on the great liberties they have as citizens. They respect traditional American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression. That being said, they already said that Kaepernick could make his own choices so his actions are technically not illegal.

As Kaepernick waits for a job opportunity, he’s continuing to do charity work. Shortly after he began his protests, he announced that he would donate $1 million of his salary to help organizations that assist troubled communities. He has a section on his website, Kaepernick7.com, dedicated to the donations he has made so far. He has also donated shirts, hats, shoes and books to men’s shelters and orphanages such as the Know Your Rights Camp.

Here’s the question: Why is Kaepernick still unemployed?

Kaepernick’s inability to get signed during the 2017 NFL free agency has surprised even his own teammates. He has been a free agent since March 3. That’s not good news considering the fact he can play at a professional level. He led the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVIII against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 NFL season.

Kaepernick has 72 touchdowns and a 59.8 pass completion percentage along with 12,271 yards gained in 69 career games. He has seven touchdowns and a 58 pass completion percentage along with 1,374 yards gained in six postseason games. These numbers aren’t too shabby. Yet, he remains out of the league while several quarterbacks have found new jobs such as Brian Hoyer, Case Keenum, Geno Smith, Josh McCown, Mark Sanchez, Matt McGloin and Nick Foles.

President Donald Trump criticized Kaepernick last August. He described his refusal to stand for the national anthem as a terrible thing. He also suggested that Kaepernick should find a country that works better for him. Despite the negativity, Kaepernick has continued his protests, which might’ve affected his job search.

Perhaps the government has played a role in telling Roger Goodell and the NFL what to do about Kaepernick. This isn’t the typical case of unemployment. The 29-year-old has made millions in his career. Goodell said that NFL teams just make decisions based on the level of talent a player might have. He respected Trump’s comment because everyone’s going to make comments. There’s nothing he can do about Trump’s comments.

Kaepernick’s not only a distraction, but his play has been questionable in recent years. So he’ll just have to play the waiting game before he receives another contract.