Colin Kaepernick Still Hoping for NFL Return, Says Longtime Partner
Colin Kaepernick hasn’t played in the NFL since January 1, 2017, but that hasn’t stopped him from holding onto the dream of returning as a quarterback in the league.
According to his longtime partner, Nessa Diab, the former San Francisco 49ers player is still committed to his training routine and prepared for an opportunity.
“He’s working at it every single day,” Diab told TMZ Sports over the weekend. “That hasn’t changed.”
When asked if he still wants to play, she replied, “Of course.”
“But it’s up to the teams now,” she added.
Kaepernick, now 37, last appeared in a regular season game during the 2016 season, completing 17 of 22 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. Despite his efforts, NFL teams have shown little interest in bringing him onto a roster, even for preseason evaluations.
Since stepping away from the field, Kaepernick has turned his focus to community advocacy through his Know Your Rights Camp and publishing work. He has voiced strong opinions on issues related to social fairness and reform within the sports world.
In a recent interview with NPR, he expressed how much he misses football and emphasized that he continues to prepare as if a call could come any day.
“I’ll always miss it,” he told NPR in October while promoting his children’s book We Are Free You & Me. “I’m still training consistently.”
He added, “I never want to look back and wonder if I could have done more. I want the reason I’m not playing to be something beyond my control—not because I didn’t put in the effort.”
Kaepernick told Sky Sports that he believes he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level and lead a team to a championship.
“We’re staying ready and continuing to push forward,” he said. “All it takes is one team owner to open that door.”
He concluded, “Football has been my life’s work, and to get back on the field would be an incredible moment for me. I know I can contribute and help a team reach its highest goals.”