Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been out of the NFL since January 2017, five months after he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest social injustice. His skills will look undiminished despite the elapsed time in Madden 22.
In the 34th installment of the EA Sports video game, Kaepernick is rated an 81 — above a host of quarterbacks expected to start this season, including 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert (80), Kirk Cousins (79), 2021 No. 1 draft pick Trevor Lawrence (78), six-time Pro Bowler Ben Roethlisberger (78), 2020 No. 1 draft pick Joe Burrow (77) and 2016 No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff (77).
Kaepernick’s awareness is an 87, top-10 among Madden 22 quarterbacks and above the likes of bona fide stars in Josh Allen, Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford. The former Nevada dual-threat star’s speed is an 83 — inexplicably identical to Baker Mayfield, who’s not exactly a burner.
Many stars — from LeBron James to Michael Bennett and Steve Kerr — have come to Kaepernick’s defense through the years, claiming the NFL is blackballing him. The 33-year-old last played in 2016 under coach Chip Kelly, throwing for 16 touchdowns to only four interceptions but losing 10 of his 11 starts.
In May 2017, Kaepernick visited with the Seahawks but did not sign a deal — or even work out with the team. He held an open workout in Atlanta in November 2019 with the hopes of extending his NFL career, but no opportunities arose in the aftermath.
Perhaps EA Sports liked what it saw, as it added him to Madden 21 with an 81 rating and did the same in its newest edition.