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The Kaepernick Debate: Football move, or business decision?

By Chris Schisler

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Colin Kaepernick LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers walks to the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Colin Kaepernick LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers walks to the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 24: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers walks to the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 24: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers walks to the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

The Colin Kaepernick debate is happening, whether or not the Ravens sign him. Until the conflict is resolved, this is my attempt to put together every angle of this situation:

Colin Kaepernick is a quarterback who made waves by kneeling during the national anthem. Kaepernick’s politics have become an issue that has transcended sports. It has given him a lot of adversaries and critics. His protest centered around police brutality and how it affects people of color disproportionately. He has become the most polarizing player in the National Football League and perhaps in all of professional sports. Kaepernick dared to make a stand. It was his right to do so, but now he is dealing with the backlash of that stand.

When Ian Rappaport, initially reported that Ravens quarterback, Joe Flacco, could miss three to six weeks, Baltimore became the most obvious landing spot for Kaepernick. John Harbaugh has talked glowingly about Kaepernick to the press. Greg Roman is on the Ravens staff, and he’s had success with Kaepernick in the past (while working with John Harbaugh’s brother).

It’s a matter of perspective:

From a football perspective, Kaepernick to the Ravens is a slam dunk. He isn’t going to cost the Ravens a lot of money (the Ravens aren’t competing for this media circus). He is better than Ryan Mallet (don’t let the 49ers ineptitude fool you into think Kaepernick is without talent). The Ravens may need a back up quarterback.

The decision has reportedly been hard on Ravens owner, Steve Bisciotti. According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Bisciotti is showing resistance on the Kaepernick decision, while John Harbaugh and Ozzie Newsome are on board with it. What does this news mean? It means we have a debate going on within the brass of the franchise. The general manager and the head coach see it as a football decision. The owner is worried about the public relations backlash and the damage it could do to his brand. Tim Daniels of Bleacher Report, wrote an article that highlighted the many points of view in the organization about Kaepernick. I highly recommend reading that. When you do, it’s clear that Bisciotti (who signs the checks) is the one holding things up. Let’s look at the pro’s and cons. Then we can be done talking about it (until the Ravens ultimately make a decision).

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