Colin Kaepernick's workout scheduled for Saturday afternoon started falling apart before he even touched a football.
The free agent quarterback was originally set to work out in front of NFL team representatives at the Falcons' facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., beginning at 3 p.m. ET. That start time changed less than an hour before Kaepernick was supposed to take the field, however, because of "transparency" issues with the NFL. Kaepernick moved his workout back to 4 p.m. ET and shifted to a high school stadium in Riverdale, Ga.
MORE: Kaepernick's workout brings out protestors, supporters
Here is the full explanation from Kaepernick's representatives:
Because of recent decisions made by the NFL, the workout for Colin Kaepernick will be changing to an alternate location in Atlanta which will now start at 4 p.m. All representatives from clubs are invited to attend and will be provided the location. Further, all media will be invited to attend and upon request will be provided with the location. From the outset, Mr. Kaepernick requested a legitimate process and from the outset the NFL league office has not provided one. Most recently, the NFL has demanded that as a precondition to the workout, Mr. Kaepernick sign an unusual liability waiver that addresses employment-related issues and rejected the standard liability waiver from physical injury proposed by Mr. Kaepernick's representatives.
Additionally, Mr. Kaepernick requested all media be allowed into the workout to observe and film it and for an independent film crew to be there to ensure transparency. The NFL denied this request. Based on the prior conduct by the NFL league office, Mr. Kaepernick simply asks for a transparent and open process which is why a new location has been selected for today. Mr. Kaepernick looks forward to seeing the representatives from the clubs today.
Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports offered additional details on the disagreement between Kaepernick and the NFL:
A few things triggered the move of the Kaepernick workout:
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 16, 2019
1.) There was a significant problem with the type of waiver #NFL requested. Kaepernick agreed to sign a normal Pro Day injury waiver. NFL asked for a more complex waiver with clauses about non-guarantees of employment.
2.) Kaepernick’s camp requested to tape the workout alongside the #NFL’s crew. They didn’t trust the NFL being the only ones with the tape. Kaepernick wanted it taped and released in its entirety to teams and the public after the workout. The NFL refused to allow them to tape it.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 16, 2019
3.) When #NFL refused to allow Kaepernick to tape the workout and control their own copy, Kaepernick asked that media be allowed into the workout to view/record the session. NFL said no. That’s when Kaepernick felt the league refused to be transparent and asked to change venues.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 16, 2019
4.) It’s now up to the #NFL teams to decide if they want their reps to relocate to the new venue. They have been invited on-site in Flowery Branch. The new location will also make it far easier for teams to access the local airport, meaning NFL reps can attend and easily fly out.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 16, 2019
The NFL reportedly presented the Saturday workout to Kaepernick as a take-it-or-leave-it deal, fueling speculation that the 32-year-old would choose to pass on the league's offer. Kaepernick ultimately agreed to participate, though, saying he has "been in shape and ready for this for three years."
Unfortunately for Kaepernick, the event sounded more like a PR stunt than a genuine opportunity given the hoops he had to jump through in order to ensure he got a fair shot at landing a job. Several team executives were confused by the NFL's decision to schedule the workout, and multiple reports point to reasons ranging from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell feeling bad about Kaepernick's situation to the league being tired of teams reaching out about his status.
Only adding to the circus, former NFL coach Hue Jackson, who was supposed to lead the drills at the workout, did not travel to the Riverdale venue.
1) Former Raiders and Browns HC Hue Jackson flew to Atlanta this morning to conduct the Kaepernick workout at the league's request...
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) November 16, 2019
2) Kaepernick's agent invited him to attend the relocated workout (which is more than an hour from the original location) less than an hour before it was due to begin. Jackson, however, is headed back to the airport.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) November 16, 2019
More than 24 teams were expected to attend Kaepernick's workout as of Friday night, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, but it is unclear how many traveled to the new location Saturday afternoon.
UPDATE: The NFL issued a lengthy statement regarding Kaepernick's workout, expressing disappointment he did not appear for the original 3 p.m. start time and revealing it found out about his decision at 2:30 p.m. ET.
"Today's session was designed to give Colin what he has consistently said he wants — an opportunity to show his football readiness and desire to return to the NFL," the statement said. "Twenty-five clubs were present for the workout, and all 32 clubs, their head coaches, general managers and other personnel executives would have received video footage of the interview and workout, shot by the Atlanta Falcons video crew."
The league claimed it made "considerable effort" to work with Kaepernick's representatives, including agreeing to a request from Nike to shoot an ad at the workout. The NFL disputed Kaepernick's description of the liability waiver process, saying that Kaepernick's reps sent the league a "completely rewritten and insufficient waiver."
While the NFL did note that Kaepernick wanted to bring his own video production team and open the event to reporters, it did not specify if those requests were discussed or explicitly denied. The statement says it was always clear this would be a "private workout."
Despite all of the chaos surrounding the workout, Kaepernick's status hasn't changed.
"[Kaepernick] remains an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any club," the statement said.