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Interrupting a speech, President Trump brags he’s the reason Colin Kaepernick remains unemployed

    by Rob Tornoe
    Published 

Usually presidents like to brag about creating jobs. Last night, Donald Trump took credit for keeping someone unemployed.

Nearly two weeks into the NFL's free agency period, former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned.

One AFC general manager, speaking anonymously to Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman, estimated that 10 percent of teams (3.2?) were afraid of the backlash a tweet from President Trump about Kaepernick would create.

That was apparently enough for the commander-in-chief to shift midstream from talking about the country's urban communities to take credit for keeping the 29-year-old quarterback jobless.

"Our inner cities will find a rebirth of hope, safety and opportunity," Trump said before shifting awkwardly to Kaepernick. "Your San Francisco quarterback, I'm sure nobody ever heard of him."

Without mentioning Bleacher Report by name, Trump boasted about the fact that some NFL owners appear hesitant to sign Kaepernick due to the backlash they could receive from Trump supporters.

"They don't want to get a nasty tweet from Donald Trump. Do you believe that?" the president told the crowd in Louisville last night. "I said, 'If I remember that one, I'm gonna report it to the people of Kentucky because they like it when people actually stand for the American flag.' "

Watch:

During the season, Kaepernick sparked controversy by kneeling during the national anthem before 49ers games to protest discrimination and violence against people of color. Dozens of athletes in multiple sports followed Kapernick's lead, including Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, who raised his fist in protest during the anthem.

During the presidential campaign, Kaepernick had strong words for both Trump and his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

"I think it's personally not a good thing. I think it's a terrible thing," Trump responded at the time. "And, you know, maybe he should find a country that works better for him. Let him try. It won't happen."