The controversial exit of the retired San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick from the NFL in 2016 is surfacing again. And this time, it’s David Wells, former New York Yankees pitcher who has something to say about his actions. The Yankees legend who led his team to a World Series Championship does not hold back when it comes to speaking his mind on what’s right and wrong. 

Colin Kaepernick shocked the NFL world in 2016 when he sat during the national anthem to protest against police brutality and racial injustice. Following this controversial action, he has since tried to return to the NFL in 2023, but his return attempt was met with contempt from many who called out his past antics. See what David Wells has to say about Colin Kaepernick’s protest. 

David Wells slams Colin Kaepernick’s protest as disrespectful

On Outkick’s Don’t @ Me podcast, David Wells told Dan Dakich in an interview that Kaepernick’s controversial action is “disrespectful.” He slams the former NFL quarterback, saying that he “can’t do things like that.” Aside from other reasons, David Wells admits that he’s a patriot and Colin Kaepernick’s actions had been rude and unthinking. 

The MLB star comes from a military town in San Diego and is an ardent supporter of the military. So, he shows his discontentment, saying, “That’s why when Kaepernick took the knee, it’s a little disrespect to me, because I’m a patriot.” Wells further added, “When the anthem’s there, you’re in America, you do the anthem, you do the Pledge of Allegiance. That’s what you do. That’s what we were taught in elementary school. Put your hand over your heart and say the Pledge of Allegiance.“

Wells has clear opinions about Kaepernick’s actions, and he’s not shy about them either. The 6-year-old controversy had largely died down but was revived when Kaepernick wrote a letter to the NY Jets asking for a chance to come back to the NFL to take over for their injured QB Aaron Rodgers.

Who was behind Colin Kaepernick taking a knee?

It’s been seven years since the anthem incident, and everybody seemed to have forgotten about it. But after the recent appearance of Colin Kaepernick in the headlines, his controversial past came out again when he sat down before a preseason game during the anthem. It was only during the final preseason game that he knelt instead of sitting on a bench while the anthem was playing. 

READ MORE: Free Agent Colin Kaepernick Snubs New York Jets Killer Blow With Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes’ Dream Project

During Netflix’s ‘Colin In Black And White Premiere,’ it was revealed that Nate Boyer was the one who convinced the former NFL star to kneel and not sit while the anthem was playing. The army veteran was not pleased with Kaep’s actions and reached out to him after the third time he had protested the anthem. According to the Army Special Forces veteran and former Seattle Seahawks star Nate Boyer, it was a compromise they had reached between sitting during the anthem and standing.

Ultimately, David Wells was proven right when he said, “Do your due diligence and figure out what you’re gonna protest for but don’t protest our flag and our military.” He has a point when he talks about how being a patriot means serving the country and respecting the law.

Colin Kaepernick’s past actions have put him in a deep trench, and it’s now serving as a roadblock to his advancement. Will he be able to clear his name and start brand new? Time can only tell.

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