Vince McMahon Open To Colin Kaepernick Playing in The XFL, Says Why Not?

The XFL is truly back, but the biggest question in everybody’s mind is who will be the players in the revamped league. Names such as Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow & Colin Kaepernick have been in several conversations for the past few months on possible candidates for the league. When asked whether those big names would be welcome in The New XFL, WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon had an interesting response, as seen below:

This is football reimagined. This is the XFL. Watch the official announcement — LIVE NOW! #XFL2020 https://t.co/KFX5oLmkHw— XFL (@xfl2020) January 25, 2018

“The quality of human being is very important and just as important as the quality of the player. What I mean by that is you want someone who does not have any criminality associated with them whatsoever. And even if you have a DUI, you will not play in The XFL. That will probably eliminated some of them. Not all of them. If Tim Tebow wants to play, he could very well play.”

The statement which Vince McMahon made, as seen above, could possibly eliminate Johnny Manziel. Kaepernick, on the other hand, has never been arrested and would seem to meet the XFL’s standards. McMahon was later asked about The Former 49ers Quarterback specifically.

“Anyone who plays the game of football well and meets our criteria in terms of quality of human being, why not? As long as everyone abides by the rules as laid down.”

Not A Criminal

Obviously, we all know that Kaepernick has unwavering talent and that he is more than good enough to play in The XFL as he was able to shine and show his talents in The NFL. After all, he did meet the “no criminality” requirement as well, so that sounds like a yes from Vince McMahon.

McMahon, who made a point to say that XFL players will be asked to leave their politics at home, was also asked about the national anthem and whether players would be forced to stand for it. While he did not give a direct answer, it certainly sounds like it will be a requirement of all players.

“I think, again, it’s a time-honored tradition to stand and appreciate the national anthem with any sport here in America. In any country, they do that. I think it would be appropriate to do that.”

Kaepernick also announced that he would be standing for the anthem before The 2017 NFL season. If that is still his plan going forward, The 31-year-old should have no problem landing a job in The new XFL, that is if he even wants one, according to XFL Commissioner & CEO Oliver Luck in an interview with The Star-Telegram. The league isn’t scheduled to open play until February 8th & 9th 2020.

Luck also said that “As long as he abides by the policies that we have set for every other player, then we wouldn’t have a problem signing him.” Luck continued with, “I’m not going to make any exceptions for anybody.”

National Anthem Policy

Per Luck, conduct during the national anthem will be included in the player contract. Since there is no player’s union to negotiate terms with The XFL, players will essentially have to agree to the rules of the workplace as set by the league’s lawyers and the league’s owner, Vince McMahon.

“Vince wants it in the player contracts that you have to stand for the national anthem,” Luck said. “It’s, ‘Colin, here it is. If you want to do it, if you are willing to do it, fine. If not, appreciate it and good luck. No hard feelings.’ That would be true for anybody.”

So, unlike The NFL, Kaepernick would have a shot to make an XFL roster, but to do so would mean he would have to surrender the very act that has basically defined his life and made him an icon in America’s eternal struggle for equality.

Kaepernick has essentially been blackballed by The NFL and all of its 32 teams for taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem. Actually, The NFL nor the team owners don’t care about him taking a knee. They care about the negative attention the protest created and the effect it had on attendance and ratings. Even if adding Kaepernick would generate headlines and attention for new The XFL, McMahon will not take the risk that the 32 owners of The NFL franchises did.

Kaepernick is truly done with The NFL as every team in the league that has recently signed quarterback after quarterback, deliberately stayed away from him. He has shown no interest in playing football outside of The NFL and he has not played a game since Jan. 1st, 2017. Chances are high that his career may be over. The XFL is receptive to Kaepernick playing in its league, provided that he does not do the one thing that has made him an international icon.