It's terrible what the owners are doing to Colin Kaepernick.  He might have a legitimate collusion lawsuit but the right-wing owners probably all independently decided not to sign him.  But you know what, as badly as they are treating him, this could be the best thing to happen to Kaepernick.  I assume he's got many millions in the bank.  He is healthy.  He can walk, not hobble, away from the game, hopefully without any long-term brain injuries.  He was an outstanding high school baseball player and is a very bright guy.

I heard an interview with him a few years ago on San Francisco radio.  He said his  fastball was timed at 95 mph when he was in high school - the last time he played organized baseball.  He thought he could throw even harder now since he's bigger and stronger.  It doesn't always work that way though.  A smooth explosive delivery is the most important factor when it comes to velocity.  It's not absolutely implausible to contemplate the now 29-year old Kaepernick in the major leagues in a few years.  The point is there are still lots of doors open to him. 

I'm not excusing the owners in any way and I'm guessing Kaepernick loves football and wants to play.  But there's a lot to be said for leaving the game with your mind and body intact.

Well, didn't get me to click off my free WaPo articles - judging quarterbacks by a single metric - Moneyball fans would be pleased I suppose. We've been down this road, with some of the following articles (the comments sections are good too,as they bandy about analysis of why Colin is or isn't that great, though I don't think many of them got him down in the cellar like a pure ANY/A raing)

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/colin-kaepernick-is-not-supposed-to...

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/yes-its-strange-that-colin-kaeperni...

http://presnapreads.com/2017/07/30/colin-kaepernick-is-better-than-joe-f...

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/blake-bortles-is-the-tom-brady-of-n...

Article #3 notes the NFL rewards mediocrity.  They're very conservative, in case no one noticed.

At this point I hope he convinces a baseball team to take him and excels in that (unlike Michael Jordan). NFL quarterback is a dangerous spot for say a rightwing defenseman to make a point, and there will be enough sentiment wanting him to fail, but if he played for the A's or Yanks, they're used to giving the big FU to fans and enemies alike.