5 Careers Colin Kaepernick Should Pursue Now that the NFL Has Moved On
Now that the NFL has moved on from Colin Kaepernick, what's next for the former quarterback? | Image: REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage
- After years of waiting for an opportunity to get back in the NFL, the league set up a workout for Colin Kaepernick. But he decided not to show up and held his own instead.
- No team has shown any interest in signing him. Roger Goodell recently declared the league had “moved on.”
- If football is out of the picture, what is he going to do with the rest of his life?
It may seem obvious to most, but Colin Kaepernick’s football career has come to an end. Whether the recent workout was a legit opportunity or not, we will never know. But with the latest comments Roger Goodell made about the workout, one thing seems clear.
Colin Kaepernick is not going to get back in the NFL.
At best, he would have just been a backup, anyway. He probably has more value as a social martyr than he would to any team. But along with all the charity work he does, his existence has centered around getting back in the NFL.
Now that football doesn’t appear to be an option, what’s next?
Five Possible Career Options For Colin Kaepernick
Now that his football career is over, it is time for Kaepernick to embrace his backup career plan—whatever it is.
He hasn’t talked about one, but if he needs a few ideas:
- Business?
Kaepernick is one of the few that left college with a degree (business management), so maybe it’s time to put that education to use (or pursue an MBA). He probably has tons of contacts, and he has a name that will market itself.
- Non-For-Profit?
Following the start of his protest back in 2016, Kaepernick founded the Colin Kaepernick Foundation “with the primary focus of fighting oppression through education and social activism.” Maybe now that returning to football will not be a distraction, he can focus on the work his foundation does.
- Think Tank?
Social justice issues are a hot topic and likely will be for years to come. Politicians and the people, in general, are going to want (and need) to know more if they are going to make informed decisions. A think thank that focuses on the academic study of social justice issues headed up Kaepernick could become a leader on the subject matter.
- Reality Show?
With what he has done and what he has gone through, his life is and must be fascinating. Millions would be hypercritical of a show centered around
him. But millions more would watch every week.
This way, he could continue to fight the good fight and bring some much-needed attention to some crucial issues and charities.
- Politician?
He would never do it, but there is no better way to affect change than to do it within the system. He would barely need to campaign with his notoriety (if at all).
As much as becoming a politician would go against what he believes in, he might find a few more allies in positions of power in the process.
How About Nothing?
Depending on how he has spent his money, he should be able to get by without getting a job ever again. According to Sportrac.com, he made $43.79 million during his brief NFL career. Since leaving the NFL, it’s hard to say just how he has been making money or even if he has.
He does still have a deal with Nike and was the star of their 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign.
Nike is expected to release his signature shoe sometime in December.
Combine what he is making from Nike with the $43 million he earned in the NFL, the $10-$80 million he got from his settlement with the NFL, and he should have more than enough to live comfortably for life.
So, if he doesn’t want to work, he probably doesn’t have to.
