Eight years after they last worked together as head coach and starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, Jim Harbaugh and Colin Kaepernick are having a reunion of sorts.
Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines will have their Maize and Blue Spring Game on Saturday, April 2. Michigan announced on Wednesday that Kaepernick will be an honorary captain.
If we’ve learned anything over the last six years, it’s that there are very few neutral opinions on Kaepernick. This news was no different.
Some college football fans on Twitter are dead set against the Wolverines honoring the former 49ers signal-caller.
https://twitter.com/EricTWBB/status/1509343164821565443
Generally speaking, though, the reaction to the news was positive. Even non-Michigan fans weighed in with their support of the decision.
Hell yeah!! #GoBlue My Coach > Yours https://t.co/pkkfSQTPWw
— Tabs
(@TabsGoBlue) March 31, 2022
@NexJql And this is why The University of Michigan is my favorite school ever. #GoBlue
https://t.co/2AkqmM5rXl — 2023 National Champs, Michigan Wolverines!
(@LittleAaron4eva) March 31, 2022
#GoBlue #ProBlue Anyone who doesn’t think this is strategically brilliant for recruiting isn’t paying attention. https://t.co/piHvq5NeeF
—
4 Ever (@mdecan) March 31, 2022
Kaepernick and Harbaugh were together with the 49ers from 2011-2014. After playing sparingly in his rookie year, Kaepernick became the starting quarterback in San Francisco midway through the 2012 season. That year ended with a loss in Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens.
Harbaugh left the 49ers following the 2014 season. Kaepernick remained in San Francisco through the 2016 season. During the 2016 season, he became politically outspoken, highlighted by his decision to first sit, and then kneel during the national anthem. While the 49ers struggled to a 2-14 record that year, including a 1-10 record in his starts, Kaepernick threw 16 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Despite that, he hasn’t played since that season.
Kaepernick has continued to remain in the news, though, with a recent workout with Tyler Lockett catching the attention of many fans.