“The 49ers pose a significant threat.” Colin Kaepernick says he’s ‘still training’ to return to the NFL after becoming a league pariah by kneeling during the national anthem | HO

Now 36 and eight years removed from his last NFL game, free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick remains interested in rejoining the league after igniting nationwide controversy by protesting during the national anthem.

Colin Kaepernick says he's 'still training' to return to the NFL after becoming a league pariah by kneeling during the national anthem | Daily Mail Online

‘We’re still training, still pushing,’ the former San Francisco 49ers star told Sky Sports. ‘We’ve just got to get one of these team owners to open up.’

When asked why he wants to return, Kaepernick stressed that he’s remained ready for a gridiron return.

‘It’s something I’ve trained my whole life for,’ he said. ‘So, be able to step back on the field, I think that would be a major moment, major accomplishment for me. Also, I think it’s something that I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship.’

Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season, when he ignited a nationwide free-speech debate by protesting racist police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem before games.

Colin Kaepernick talks with Stephen Curry during the Paris Olympics on August 8

Colin Kaepernick talks with Stephen Curry during the Paris Olympics on August 8

Teammates (from left) Eli Harold, Colin Kaepernick, and Eric Reid kneel in January of 2016

Teammates (from left) Eli Harold, Colin Kaepernick, and Eric Reid kneel in January of 2016

He has received some interest from NFL teams since he opted out of his contract with the 49ers in anticipation of his release in March of 2017.

Kaepernick reportedly showed a strong arm and solid conditioning at a 2022 workout with the Las Vegas Raiders, sources told ESPN at the time. The Raiders were receptive to Kaepernick and one source described the workout as a ‘positive’ although he was never added to the team’s roster.

In 2019, Kaepernick settled a grievance with the NFL for an undisclosed amount after accusing owners of blackballing him in retaliation for the controversial protests.

Although Kaepernick remains an NFL pariah, commissioner Roger Goodell admitted in June of 2021 that the league should have listened to players’ concerns about racism sooner, adding that he encouraged teams to sign the former 49ers star.

The league did orchestrate a tryout for Kaepernick in 2019, but that was scuttled after he took issue with the liability waiver the NFL asked him to sign.