LOOK: Colin Kaepernick gives special shoutout to Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick is still seeking an opportunity to return to the NFL. Over this past weekend, Kaepernick was at the spring game for the Michigan Wolverines, and held a throwing session at halftime. Kaepernick’s connection to Michigan is Jim Harbaugh, who was Kaepernick’s coach with the San Francisco 49ers.
Following Kaepernick’s opportunity to throw at halftime of Michigan’s spring game, he tweeted a heartfelt thank you message to Harbaugh and the Wolverines.
“Special thanks to @CoachJim4UM. I’m grateful for him and the Wolverine community,” Kaepernick said. “It felt great to be back on the field with him during the halftime throwing session. Go blue!”
Kaepernick hasn’t played in the NFL since 2016. He played six seasons with the 49ers from 2011-2016 after being selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Nevada. Kaepernick played in 69 games with 58 starts over the course of his career. In those 58 starts, the 49ers 28-30. In 2013, Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 12-4 regular season record, later leading San Francisco to the NFC Championship, where they lost to the Green Bay Packers.
In his NFL career, Kaepernick has thrown for 12,271 yards with 72 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, completing just under 60% of his pass attempts. He also proved to be dynamic on the ground, rushing for 2,300 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Kaepernick on what he was seeking in throwing at Michigan’s spring game
For much of the past couple of seasons, Kaepernick has publicly been vying for another opportunity to play in the NFL. A this point, many question whether or not he’s ready to jump straight back into the NFL after being on the sidelines for five seasons. And that was the point of his appearance at Michigan’s spring game.
In throwing on the field at Michigan, Kaepernick was looking to show that he still has what it takes to play professional football.
“Just a chance, an opportunity,” Kapernick said. “A lot of what we’ve heard is, ‘Oh, you haven’t played in five years. Can you still play?’ I wanted to come out. That’s part of the reason why we’ve been doing all the workouts publicly, releasing them publicly. Coach Harbaugh, Michigan, the Wolverines against Racism allowed this to happen today, so I’m grateful that this is an opportunity that can lead to that next step, and hopefully crack that door open so I can run through it.”
It remains to be seen whether Kaepernick will get the shot that he has been fighting for. But he hopes that his performance at Michigan on Saturday was enough to at least be considered.