DeMarcus Ware on Colin Kaepernick: ‘I feel like he’s being blackballed’

DeMarcus Ware believes that NFL teams are intentionally turning their collective back on free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

“I feel like he’s being blackballed,” the former outside linebacker and defensive end told Bruce Murray and Ross Tucker on the SiriusXM Blitz from the NFL Broadcast Boot Camp at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, N.J.

‘I mean, he’s not beating a woman, he’s not done something too detrimental’

Ware feels that Kaepernick deserves the same second chance that other players have received. And he shouldn’t be treated more harshly because of his kneel-down protests during the national anthem than those who have committed criminal acts.

“I mean, he’s not beating a woman, he’s not done something too detrimental to the point to where the world sees him in a bad light,” Ware said. “But I feel like this right here has happened. So now, this right here is a second chance that he needs, because this being beaten down over and over and over again about his image, but they’re not even talking about his play or what he can bring to the team.”

‘This is a world right now of giving people second chances’

Ware points to former Denver Broncos teammate Von Miller as an example of the good that can come from giving a player a second chance. Not only was Miller a major factor in the Broncos’ winning Super Bowl 50, but he also has demonstrated strong leadership qualities.

“This is a world right now of giving people second chances and one of those … is a Von Miller,” Ware said. “All the things that he had going on before and now being able to play with him and seeing how much he’s changed — changed the team, him becoming a defensive leader right now, him being effective probably for the rest of his career.

‘Giving him a second chance would be great because those guys come in even more hungry’

“And now having a guy like Colin Kaepernick come into the locker room, let’s say if he goes to whatever, Seattle, whatever team, him coming in and being a guy behind a Russell Wilson. It’s the perfect type of offense that he can play in, but then him having the opportunity to learn from somebody that’s doing the right things. And I feel like … giving him a second chance would be great because those guys come in even more hungry and feeling like they have to prove a point.”