While he's looking for another NFL team to play for, free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick might get another gig, this time as a Hollywood actor. According to celebrity website TMZ, a well-known casting director was looking for contacts to Kaepernick through the message boards for managers and agents last week. The casting director – Vickie Thomas – is currently working on a TV pilot and the Pepsi commercial-inspired movie “Uncle Drew” starring Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving and retired superstars Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber, and Lisa Leslie.
The post did not mention what project or role that Kaepernick might play for his first acting gig. However, a cameo appearance in the movie “Uncle Drew” will be a big jumpstart for Kaepernick’s Hollywood career.
Kaepernick’s protest affects NFL job
Kaepernick has been looking for an NFL team since he opted out of his deal with the San Francisco 49ers in the summer. Several teams have expressed interest in signing him, but as of now, Kaepernick remains jobless. The last team that expressed an interest in signing Kaepernick was the Houston Texans, who lost their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson to a season-ending injury.
However, the Texans did not pursue signing Kaepernick, as they settled for Tom Savage as the starter. The quarterback’s predicament is being blamed on his protest against social injustice last season, where he knelt during the national anthem. Many players claimed that the NFL has blackballed Kaepernick due controversial move last season. However, the protest that Kaepernick started has snowballed, with several players kneeling during the national anthem this season. The kneeling has prompted US President Donald Trump to urge NFL team owners to remove from the field and fire players who will disrespect the anthem.
LeBron James supports Kaepernick
One of the big-name athletes who expressed the belief that Kaepernick is being blackballed is Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James.
The Cavaliers superstar told Dave McMenamin of ESPN that he has seen other quarterbacks who are not as talented as Kaepernick, given second and third chances by NFL teams. As an avid NFL fan, James noticed that several mediocre quarterbacks play every Sunday, Thursday, and Monday, but not Kaepernick, whom James said is way more talented than the starters of some teams. Last season with the 49ers, Kaepernick threw 16 touchdowns with four interceptions for a passer rating of 90.7. He also ran 69 times for 468 yards and two touchdowns