That sound you hear is the other shoe dropping. It was inevitable that it would.
Long before he decided that America’s national anthem was racist and that he would therefore remain seated during its ritual game-opening performance, quarterback Colin Kaepernick must have known his fate as a QB with the San Francisco 49ers was sealed for the 2016 season.
A the start of training camp in late spring, Kaepernick was told that he and onetime backup Blaine Gabbert were vying for the starting job.
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
But thumb, knee, and shoulder injuries that Kaepernick had sustained in the previous season kept him off the practice field. The tightness in his right shoulder grew worse, and he was forced to sit out the first two preseason games.
Gabbert excelled during all four preseason games with an average passer rating of 90.3 and three touchdowns. Kaepernick, who appeared in preseason games 3 and 4, achieved a passer rating of 67.5 and one touchdown.
On Sunday it was made official. Coach Chip Kelly announced that Gabbert — who is white — would be the team’s starting quarterback. Kaepernick — who is half-white — will warm the bench at the number 2 spot.
Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports that Kelly was asked whether Kaepernick’s antics during the national anthem had any bearing on the decision. Kelly’s answer:
When he’s here at [team headquarters], he’s all about football and all about work, and that’s what I’ve seen since he’s been here. He continues to display that every day he’s in this building.
So how is the news of the 49ers’ being received? Here is some enlightenment via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Chi_daSHOOTA/status/772240316925640704
https://twitter.com/tedcashsb/status/772241607512973312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/score_a_Patrick/status/772268040675270656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Blaine Gabbert is the definition of white privilege
— jackson whatever (@jacksonwhatever) September 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/stagchristopher/status/771437149266870274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
You can find more at BizPac Review, but the sentiments are pretty much of a piece.
