There has been a lot of talk about NFL owners blocking their football people from signing Colin Kaepernick, but Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross insists that was not the case with his team after Ryan Tannehill got hurt.
Ross was a special guest at the “Detroit Homecoming” event Thursday night, which brought together successful natives of Detroit including Ross, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and NBA star Draymond Green. The subject of Kaepernick’s national anthem protest came up at one point, and Ross said it did not deter him from employing the quarterback.
"A lot of people are staying away from (Kaepernick) and they don't want the controversy," Dolphins owner Stephen Ross says.
— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) September 15, 2017
"This is a country where people are allowed to express themselves," Ross said.
Says the acts are "starting a conversation" that's needed. https://t.co/DzB421KTEd
— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) September 15, 2017
Stephen Ross said he would have hired Kaepernick, but his coach wanted someone else who knew the Dolphins' offense.
— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) September 15, 2017
The Dolphins chose to sign Jay Cutler instead of Kaepernick, which makes sense in their situation. Head coach Adam Gase worked with Cutler when the two were with the Denver Broncos, and Cutler enjoyed the most success of his career during that time.
For other teams, it’s much harder to believe that football factors were the only consideration in passing on Kaepernick. When you see someone like Scott Tolzien looking completely lost in Week 1, you have to wonder if the Indianapolis Colts would be better off with Kaepernick whether he fits their system or not.
One report claimed the Baltimore Ravens did not sign Kaepernick because their ownership blocked the move, but Ray Lewis has his own explanation for why the team decided against it.
