Colin Kaepernick reiterated his controversial comparison between the NFL and the slave trade during a conversation with former ESPN commentator Ryan Clark. This discussion took place on Clark’s ‘Pivot’ podcast.
Clark questioned Kaepernick about his statements during the 2021 Netflix series ‘Colin in Black & White,’ where he described the NFL Scouting Combine as similar to a slave auction. Kaepernick emphasized how the process creates a power dynamic and involves invasive examinations of players by teams.
‘Before they put you on the field, teams poke, prod and examine you, searching for any defect that might affect your performance. No boundary respected. No dignity left intact,’ Kaepernick stated in the series.
During their discussion, Kaepernick acknowledged the financial compensation of NFL players but maintained that the process itself mirrored historical exploitation. He expressed that in 2011, he lacked the historical understanding to see the parallels he now draws.
Kaepernick added that despite his controversial views, he continues to train daily and aspires to return to the NFL, a career he hasn’t pursued on the field since January 2017.
The conversation highlights Kaepernick’s ongoing critique of the league and his thoughts on its treatment of athletes.