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Eagles' Jenkins hints politics behind lack of interest in Kaepernick

Eric Hartline / USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins came to the defense of Colin Kaepernick, bristling at the lack of interest in the free-agent quarterback.

Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers on March 3, and has yet to be signed by another team. The quarterback has been politically active since the start of the 2016 season, protesting the national anthem by kneeling, and recently donating $50,000 to Meals on Wheels - an action that a host of right-wing commentators criticized him for.

Jenkins joined Kaepernick's protest during the year, raising his fist while the national anthem played. The veteran safety was infuriated that Kaepernick's been avoided completely despite lesser talents, in his estimation, getting signed.

An ardent critic of President Donald Trump, Jenkins visited Capitol Hill in November to speak about race relations.

The lack of interest in Kaepernick remains a polarizing issue, with his critics pointing to a 59.2 percent completion rate last season, while his supporters note his 16-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

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