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Twitter reacts to Colin Kaepernick throwing exhibition at Michigan spring game

On3 imageby: Trevor Ritchie04/02/22ritchietmr
Colin Kaepernick
EJ Holland/On3

Ex-NFL QB Colin Kaepernick likely had more eyes on him than any other athlete at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.

Not only was Kaepernick the honorary Michigan football spring game captain, he also held a throwing exhibition at halftime with NFL free agent receivers as Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh looked on. Harbaugh mentored Kaepernick for four seasons in the professional ranks including a Super Bowl appearance in 2012. Overlooking his Nevada ties, Kaepernick was awarded a customized No. 7 Michigan jersey on Wednesday, which he showed off at the Big House. 

Kaepernick on what Wolverines Against Racism, the Michigan student group who sponsored this event, means to him (via Big Ten Network): “To be able to see different groups like that manifest to push us forward and build a better future, it’s amazing to be able to see things like that come to fruition.”

On if he can still play (via WXYZ): “Absolutely. We still get out there and sling it. Really, getting out here today for the exhibition was to be able to show that I can do that. One of the questions my agent kept getting was, ‘well, it’s been five years… can he still play?’ So, we want to make sure we come out (to Michigan) and show everyone I can still play, can still throw it, and really just looking for an opportunity for a door to open.”

Could Harbaugh and Michigan football be opening that door with this move?

Kaepernick hasn’t participated in an NFL game since 2016 following his national anthem protests. He threw for 12,271 yards and 72 touchdowns in his 69 games with the San Francisco 49ers, and it’s clear the 34-year-old activist still has something left in the tank.

How much is left still remains to be seen, but before we hear how the NFL brass respond, let’s check in on how Twitter reacted to the spontaneous showcase at Michigan.