The Baltimore Ravens still are considering signing controversial quarterback Colin Kaepernick, even though team owner Steve Bisciotti says, “we’re going to upset some people.”
Bisciotti made his comments Sunday at a fan forum at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore after a fan asked whether signing Kaepernick would hurt the team’s “brand.”
In an answer that lasted more than four minutes, Bisciotti said he’s discussed the free agent quarterback with team president Dick Cass, General Manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh. He said he’s also talked to former player Ray Lewis and consulted some current players.
“I hope we do what is best for the team and balance that with what is best for our fans,” said Bisciotti, sitting on a stool beside Cass and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Your opinions matter to us. … We’re very sensitive to it, and we’re monitoring it, and we’re still, as Ozzie says, scrimmaging it, and we’re trying to figure out what’s the right tact. So pray for us.”
Kaepernick, then with the San Francisco 49ers, became a lightning rod last season when he refused to stand during the national anthem, saying he didn’t want to “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” His sitting, which later turned to kneeling, drew fierce criticism but sparked a national movement. Other athletes, from elementary schools to professional leagues, followed his lead.
On Sunday, Bisciotti said Kaepernick has given assurances through his intermediaries that there would be no protests and that he will stand for the anthem if signed by an NFL team this season.
“I know that we’re going to upset some people, and I know that we’re going to make people happy that we stood up for somebody that has the right to do what he did,” Bisciotti said. “Non-violent protesting is something that we have all embraced. I don’t like the way he did it.
“Personally, I kind of liked it a lot when he went from sitting to kneeling,” he added. “I don’t know, I’m Catholic — we spend a lot of time kneeling.”
Harbaugh, the Ravens head coach, said Thursday he has been talking to Kaepernick this summer.
“I wouldn’t rule it out at all,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a really good football player, and I believe he’s a really good person. It all depends on a lot of things. It depends on Colin, first of all, of what he wants to do. What’s his passion, what’s his priority, what’s he want to do, what kind of shape he’s in and if he’s ready to go, and our needs, so we’ll just kind of see where it goes. … We’re definitely going to get another arm in here.”
On Friday, Ravens starting quarterback Joe Flacco said he was open to the idea of teaming up with Kaepernick, although he joked he didn’t want to lose his starting job to him.
“I would like to see Colin get back in (the NFL) and at some point maybe get another shot (to be a starter),” he said. “I wouldn’t like that to be here. I do not want him to get another shot (to be a starter) here, but yes, he can come here and have some fun. I think it would be a good spot for him.”
A six-year NFL veteran, Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013. He started 11 games for the Niners last season, throwing for 2,241 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for 468 yards and two scores.
