Colin Kaepernick's road back to the NFL has been a long and winding one, and a new revelation suggests that his girlfriend's social media activity may have thrown a major roadblock in his path. Nessa Diab, a radio host and Kaepernick's longtime partner, publicly criticized the league in a way that may have cost him a chance to return to the field.
Kaepernick, now 38, hasn't played in the NFL since 2016, when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. He's remained hopeful of a comeback, training rigorously every morning for the past decade. "We'll hit the ground running," he told Men's Health. "We do all of our training to make sure that we are prepared for that."
Despite his dedication, opportunities have been scarce. The New York Giants recently lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart to a season-ending knee injury, and coach John Harbaugh has previously expressed openness to signing Kaepernick. NFL insider Mike Florio floated the idea of a reunion on Wednesday, suggesting that a workout could be the first step. "There's no reason not to give it a whirl," Florio wrote. "The anthem controversy has subsided. The Giants have plenty of reasons to give Kaepernick a chance to show them what he can do."
But back in 2017, when the Baltimore Ravens brought Kaepernick in for a workout, things took an unexpected turn. Ravens legend Ray Lewis claims that a tweet from Diab derailed the entire process. Diab, now 45, posted a photo comparing Lewis hugging Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to a scene from "Django Unchained," where Samuel L. Jackson's character embraces Leonardo DiCaprio's plantation owner. The image went viral, and Lewis says it killed the deal.
"We were going to close the deal to sign him," Lewis said on Showtime's "Inside the NFL." "Steve Bisciotti said, 'I want to hear Colin Kaepernick speak to let me know that he wants to play football.' And it never happens because that picture comes up the next day." Lewis added, "His girl goes out and puts out this racist gesture and doesn't know we are in the back office about to try to get this guy signed."
At the time, Harbaugh downplayed the incident, saying, "I'm not exactly sure what all was said. But I can tell you this: I'm way past that. Our focus is Cincinnati." However, the damage was done, and Kaepernick's comeback hopes took a hit. This incident highlights the delicate balance between personal expression and professional opportunity, a theme that resonates beyond football.
Kaepernick has been vocal about his belief that NFL owners are openly colluding against him, and he has claimed the blackballing cost him $150 million in earnings. While the Giants' need for a quarterback might seem like a perfect opening, the lingering effects of past controversies and off-field distractions may still loom large.
As the NFL season progresses, fans and analysts alike are left to wonder if Kaepernick will ever get another shot. The Giants' situation has sparked skepticism among fans, who aren't buying the buzz. Meanwhile, Kaepernick remains committed to his training, hoping that one day, his phone will ring with an opportunity to prove he still belongs.
