Malcolm Jenkins: NFL owners 'cowards' not to sign Colin Kaepernick

PHILADELPHIA – Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins called some NFL owners "cowards" for not signing free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick, fearing the possible backlash from fans and sponsors.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti admitted last Sunday that the team was seeking outside opinions before deciding on Kaepernick. The quarterback sparked outrage last season when he kneeled during the national anthem to protest the way African-Americans were being treated by police.

"This is just some other teams being, quite honestly, cowards, to say that they’re afraid of backlash to sign someone to make their team better when fans’ input has never been in the equation when it comes to signing people in the past," Jenkins told delawareonline.com Thursday. 

"It’s certain owners’ way of making an example out of [Kaepernick] to discourage anybody else from doing what he did."

Jenkins was one of a handful or so of NFL players to stage some sort of anthem protest last season. But Kaepernick was the first to do it by kneeling, and he has drawn the most derision from fans around the country. Jenkins stood for the anthem but raised his fist.

With University of Delaware product Joe Flacco out for the preseason with a back injury, the Ravens' healthy quarterbacks include only one with NFL experience, Ryan Mallet, who has started eight games in five seasons. 

Coincidentally, Kaepernick faced Flacco in Super Bowl XLVII. 

"Four months ago, there was a debate as to whether [Kaepernick] is talented enough or whatever," Jenkins said. "I think at this point in time when you look at the quarterbacks who have jobs around the league, and the amount of owners and GMs who have only spoken of what fans would think about his stance. I think it’s safe to throw out that talent argument, and basically focus on the fact that he doesn’t have a job solely because he didn’t stand for the anthem last year, even though he already expressed that he planned on standing this year.

EAGLES:Clement, Smallwood focus on team, not local distractions 

SOCCER:Delaware prodigy signs with Philadelphia Union

"That message, to me, is loud and clear from owners as to where their priorities stand and how they go about picking and choosing who they want on their teams. It’s definitely unfortunate, but it’s shining a light on just how the NFL operates and what we deem as acceptable. It really has nothing to do with what’s right or wrong, but what affects dollars. That’s business as usual, but I think it’s an unfortunate precedent to set."

Jenkins is not alone among players who believe it's outrageous that Kaepernick, the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers last season, hasn't been able to get a job – even as a backup – with an NFL team for this season.

Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith was Kaepernick's teammate last season and played for the Ravens from 2011-14. He said he understands the Ravens seeking fan and sponsor reaction, but added that Kaepernick deserves a chance.

"I think a team has to weigh that," Smith told delawareonline.com. "That’s any business. If you feel like something you’re bringing in, what comes with it? 

"But I would say that teams are willing to sign people who abuse women, people who do stupid stuff and get locked up, which is embarrassing," Smith added. "But the guy protested, and he said he’s not protesting again. He said he’s done with the protests. He’s still going to continue his work in the community. My thing is we have our priorities backwards. He protested. People are still mad at him for actually protesting instead of what he’s protesting for."

Kaepernick had a quarterback rating of 90.7 last season, which ranked 17th in the NFL. He threw 16 touchdown passes against four interceptions. 

"[Teams] are signing guys that no one has even heard of," Smith said. "If that doesn’t show you – anyway, I hope he catches on because he can still play."

Bisciotti isn't the only owner to admit that he's weighing fans' reaction. During the spring, Giants co-owner John Mara told MMQB.com that he received "emotional mail" from fans saying they would stop going to games if the team had a player protest the anthem.

But Jenkins wasn't buying that, adding that checking public reaction is basically a cop-out.

"It’s one of those things where the public declarations by some of these owners to basically feel good about the fact that they’re weighing their options is completely ludicrous," Jenkins said. "I think it’s unfortunate that there’s an environment where that is acceptable."

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.