Colin Kaepernick should just stop wearing anything with a label on it, because every time the Niners quarterback steps out in public, someone is ready to pounce on him for what's on his body. Back in December, Sporting News writer, David Whitley took issue with the tattoos adorning his chest, torso and arms. On Saturday, Kaepernick stepped out the crib for a Fourth of July party rocking a Dolphins hat that matched his tank top and kicks (not mention his aqua green draws). A faux controversey was born as overzealous Niners fans lost their minds and ironically decried Kaepernick's immaturity.
#Dolphins are at point that other teams' franchise QBs try to pass as members. Nice hat Kaepernick! @NinersNation pic.twitter.com/aTNIxyoMKU
— Kevin Nogle (@thephinsider) July 5, 2013
Over the weekend, Kaepernick's hat became the most talked about choice of headwear since LeBron James lost his headband during last month's Finals. But, real talk, what's up with folks that get up in arms over trivial issues? This is the NFL, not the Gaza Strip. The Dolphins and Niners aren't even natural rivals. I unwittingly rocked a shirt with the Jamaican flag on it during Independence Day. You know how many times a stranger questioned my patriotism? It rhymes with nero.
Kaepernick had the appropriate response. Instead of cursing folks out on Twitter, he tweeted out a picture of himself posing with the infamous Dolphins hat and the embodiment of a "IDGAF what you think" smirk plastered on his face.
This the hat y'all mad at? I'm goin wear what I want regardless of what you think, all you need to worry about is the fact that I grind for my teammates and the 49ers! I plan on doin this until they won't let me in the building! #ridiculous #y'allmustbebored
First of all, fitteds and snapbacks have and will always be as much about fashion as they are fandom — that's just hip-hop. Aside from the Oakland Raiders, teams in the NFC West and a few ultra-popular squads (like the Pats and Cowboys), Kaep probably wouldn't think twice about rocking an NFL squad's fitted if the colors worked. Wake up. Talk about generation and culture gaps.
But here's the real point: Criticizing Kaepernick over a hat is a sucker move and it says more about his critics than it does him. At some point, fans started overstepping their boundaries and came to believe that their boos mattered outside the confines of their stadium. That's a straight-up cult mentality, and angry Niners fans look more irrational than Clint Eastwood yelling at a chair.
If Kaepernick starts living his life the way fans who gloat on message boards about "paying his salary" would like, he'd be in before dark on weekends, take a note from Danny Green by limiting his circle of friends to players on his current team's payroll and just stock his closet with an assortment of scarlet and gold outfit combinations.
In the meantime, if jilted Niners fans really want to trade or release Kaepernick for this ultimate betrayal, I'm sure Dolphins fans wouldn't object. Otherwise, pipe down and please have several seats.
