Unemployed 1,363 days, Kaepernick still ready to work

[November 24, 2020]    (Reuters) - Colin Kaepernick has not had any job offers despite injuries to starting quarterbacks this season, although the former San Francisco 49er let National Football League teams know he is available by posting a workout video on Monday.

Colin Kaepernick is seen at a special training event created by Kaepernick to provide greater access to scouts, the media, and the public, at Charles. R. Drew High School in Riverdale, Georgia, U.S., November 16, 2019. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage

Kaepernick, who sparked a national debate when he protested against racial injustice by kneeling during the U.S. national anthem, posted on social media: "1,363 days of being denied employment. Still putting in the work with @E_Reid35. Still going hard 5 days a week #StillReady #StopRunning".

The post was accompanied by a video of Kaepernick working out with his former 49ers team mate defensive back Eric Reid, who joined in the kneeling protest and is also without a team.

Kaepernick, who is now 33, filed a collusion grievance against NFL owners in October 2017 after going unsigned as a free agent through the fall of that season, following his decision to opt out of a contract with the 49ers.

The two sides reached a settlement in 2019 but, despite the NFL recognizing the players' right to protest, Kaepernick has had little interest from teams even as he continues to work out.

Kaepernick's post comes after the Cincinnati Bengals found themselves in need of a quarterback after their rookie starter Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending knee injury on Sunday.

(This story refiles to fix typo in word former in third para)

(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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