Not caring about "approval" might've cost Colin Kaepernick his football career, as many NFL fans believe teams haven't signed the quarterback because of his activism. However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in June 2020 (per ESPN), "If he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it's going to take a team to make that decision. But I welcome that, support a club making that decision and encourage them to do that."

Goodell added, "If his efforts are not on the field but continuing to work in [activism], we welcome him to that table and to help us, guide us, help us make better decisions about the kinds of things that need to be done in the communities. We have invited him in before, and we want to make sure that everybody's welcome at that table and trying to help us deal with some very complex, difficult issues that have been around for a long time."

Still, NFL teams reportedly ask players to commit to standing during the anthem, something Kap and his former fellow 49er, safety Eric Reid, just couldn't abide by and seemingly paid the price for, per The Guardian. Although Reid ultimately signed a three-year deal with the Panthers in February 2019, the NFL Players Association filed a "collusion grievance," claiming that "team owners and the league, influenced by President Donald Trump, colluded to prevent Reid's employment because of his protests against social injustice," per ESPN.

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