Colin Kaepernick takes aim at NFL and makes accusation over last six years

More than six years have passed since Colin Kaepernick last took to an NFL field - and the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and social activist has accused the league of making "no substantial change" during that time.

Kaepernick last played for the Niners in January 2017, the season in which he started kneeling during the national anthem in protest against racial injustice and police brutality across the United States, dividing fans and incurring the wrath of politicians including then-President

The quarterback's deal with the team expired at the end of that season and he went unsigned, leading him to sue the league later that year claiming owners had colluded against him to ensure he did not end up on a roster. Kaepernick later withdrew his grievance in 2018 after reaching a settlement with the NFL, along with former teammate Jimmie Ward who protested alongside Kaepernick.

Kaepernick has attempted to make a return to the NFL since his settlement, but he went unsigned after two public tryouts that were attended by league scouts. And while the 35-year-old wants to return to the gridiron, he does not believe much has changed since he last suited up in the NFL, claiming his prolonged absence an "indictment" of the league's lack of progress.

"I haven't seen any substantial change," Kaepernick told NPR. "I think there is a lot of work to do on that front. Obviously, not playing and being out of the NFL for six years is an indictment on where they are currently at. So I wouldn't put them at the forefront of goodwill and best of intentions in how they operate."

The NFL announced last week it had passed $300million (£234m) in funding for social justice initiatives across the United States after 15 grant partnerships were renewed to "drive further progress in police-community relations, criminal justice reform, education, and economic advancement".

Kaepernick entered the NFL as a second-round pick in 2011 and he replaced incumbent starter Alex Smith midway through the 2012 season, leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl with his game-changing athleticism at the quarterback position, which has become increasingly prevalent with the likes of Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts.

San Francisco lost that game to the Baltimore Ravens, but Kaepernick had proven himself as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league, but his level of play gradually dipped amid frequent head coaching changes and injury problems, losing 10 of his final 11 games with the organisation.

Kaepernick, who was adopted by a white family soon after he was born, continues to campaign for change, recently published a book about his life called Change The Game in the hope of inspiring children, and he insists he has not given up on making a return to the NFL, maintaining a training regime to stay in shape.

"My focus is always on what I can do moving forward," he added. "What can I do to change my present and my future? So training at 4.30am to be able to have the opportunity to make a comeback? Absolutely. That's something I do five days a week still.

"But as far as looking back, that's not something I do. I'm looking forward, where can I have an impact? What are my passions? And a great example of that is 'Change The Game' and this book being able to come out, us being able to share this message with the youth. And it becomes a great opportunity for us to be able to create a future that looks different."