Rapper J. Cole is trying to help former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick get a spot back in the league.
On Tuesday (September 26), Cole took to Instagram to share a September 21 letter written by Kaepernick in which he asked New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas to consider signing him to the practice squad.
In the letter, Kaepernick said he could help with depth after newly-signed Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles at the start of the season.
"I know the aspirations this season were, and still are, to win a championship, and so that Hall of Fame-sized hole will need to be filled as best as possible to keep the team on a Super Bowl track," Kaepernick wrote in the letter to Douglas.
Kaepernick, who led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013, noted that he isn't trying to compete with Zach Wilson for the starting quarterback position.
"I understand the importance of keeping him confident and focused as QB1," Kaepernick said, "and I would only look to boost that confidence in any interactions that we may have if given this role within the team. ... In a perfect world for the Jets, Zach Wilson finds his stride and shows that he is able to lead this championship-caliber team that you've put together to the Super Bowl. I believe a confident Zach Wilson has the tools to do this."
In Tuesday's Instagram post, Cole said Kaepernick was "reluctant" to share the letter but ultimately agreed to make it public.
"My argument was that I believe the people and all organizations should know the truth about how hard he works and how much he still wants to play," Cole said in the post's caption. "And always has. ... I saw the heartbreak of every Jets fan when Arod went down @richeisen Everyone from players, to coaches, to execs are feeling the pressure I’m sure. I hope y’all can turn it around, and I hope there’s a spot out there for my boy Kap."
The letter came after news that the Jets signed veteran Trevor Siemian on Tuesday.
"I know that there are currently depth issues at the position, and I've heard that the back-up spot is likely to be filled by a veteran Quarterback. As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I'm writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me; I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad," Kaepernick continued in his letter. "I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defense ready each week."
Kaepernick said he sees this as an opportunity to prove himself since he hasn't played in the NFL since 2016. Many believe the former quarterback was blackballed from the league for kneeling during the national anthem among other political stances.
"Worst case scenario, you see what I have to offer and you're not that impressed. Best case scenario, you realize you have a real weapon at your disposal in the event you ever need to use it," he said in the letter. "In either of these scenarios, I would be committed to getting your defense ready week in and week out, all season long, and I would wear that responsibility with a badge of honor."
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