Fans age-shame this NFL player as his girlfriend shares his relentless push for a comeback at 37

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 21, 2025, 17:44 IST

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Colin Kaepernick, last seen in NFL in 2016, is training for a comeback. His girlfriend confirms his dedication. At 37, some question his ability to compete. Kaepernick believes his kneeling protest, not skill, keeps him out. He led San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl. He seeks a chance based on talent, not politics.

Fans age-shame this NFL player as his girlfriend shares his relentless push for a comeback at 37

Colin Kaepernick, Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Colin Kaepernick hasn’t suited up for an NFL game since 2016, but his passion for the sport hasn’t faded. According to his longtime girlfriend, Nessa Diab, Kaepernick is still grinding away every single day, training in hopes of one day returning to the league. However, at 37 years old, some fans are questioning if his age is too much of a hurdle for his comeback dreams.

Colin Kaepernick last played in the NFL in 2016 and has long claimed that politics, not talent, have kept him from returning to the league

Kaepernick has long maintained that his NFL exile isn’t due to his skill level but because of the controversy surrounding his decision to kneel during the national anthem. His peaceful protest, which sparked heated debates, is often seen as the reason why teams have been hesitant to sign him, despite his abilities. In multiple interviews, Kaepernick has expressed his readiness to play, if only a team would give him a chance based purely on his talent and not the political bias that he believes still shadows his career.

Many fans are skeptical about Kaepernick’s age and whether a 37-year-old quarterback can still compete at the NFL level after such a long break from the game

As Kaepernick continues his pursuit, many fans, particularly on social media, have questioned if a 37-year-old quarterback is too old to return to the NFL after such a long break. Some believe his skills may have faded over the years, with others pointing out the physical toll of age on athletes. “He’s too old now,” some critics argue, doubting his ability to make an impact in such a competitive league.

Despite these doubts, Kaepernick remains determined, continuing to train with the same intensity he had when he last played professionally. His girlfriend, Nessa, has made it clear that his focus hasn’t wavered. “It’s all up to the teams if they’ll let him,” she said, underscoring that the ball is now in the hands of NFL organizations.
Before his hiatus from the NFL, Kaepernick was a standout player, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance and accumulating over 12,000 passing yards in six seasons. Despite his athletic achievements, Kaepernick’s name is now just as widely associated with his activism as his football career.
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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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