Monday, ESPN “First Take” personalities Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman and Molly Qerim discussed the NFL’s quarterback play in the first week and decided free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick has to get a job.
“Clearly there are some NFL teams that could use Colin Kaepernick and help their quarterback situations, yet he’s still jobless,” Qerim opened the segment saying. “How bad do NFL teams look not signing him?”
Smith said there is “simply no excuse” Kaepernick remains jobless, then ripped the Indianapolis Colts for starting “god awful” backup Scott Tolzein while star quarterback Andrew Luck is out with an injury.
“It was an absolute disgrace. And there is just no excuse to have somebody like Colin Kaepernick sitting at home when that man is quarterbacking in the National Football League. I’m sorry,” said Smith.
Kellerman then piled on the Colts, arguing owner Jim Irsay and his 2014 DUI arrest justifies Kaepernick’s protest because a black man would have been fired.
“Kaepernick wants to bring attention to inequality and injustice and wants to fix something that’s broken, he can’t play, but the owner of the team who endangered other people’s lives on the road and was caught with drugs in the car, he won’t hire the other guy?” Kellerman asked.
“I could actually one up you on that,” Smith responded. “Could a black quarterback that was as bad as Scott Tolzein even be on an NFL practice squad?”
Kellerman said it is evident there is “stonewalling” of Colin Kaepernick” that has been “organized.”
“At this point, the evidence is in,” he stated. “Not only does he not have a job as a starter. He doesn’t have a job period. And he is better than several starters, clearly, inarguably, no one would debate it. So, of course, this is an organized essentially stonewalling of Colin Kaepernick.”
Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent