Donald Trump has apparently made a U-turn and suddenly presents himself as a fan of Colin Kaepernick. The US president said Wednesday that the former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, who had initiated the “Take a Knee” movement in September 2016 as a sign of protest against racism and police violence, “absolutely” deserved to get a second chance in the National Football League (NFL). Trump had once called players who got down on one knee before games “sons of bitches”.

When asked by a TV station in Washington D.C. whether Kaepernick should be given the opportunity to return, the US president said: “He deserves it, and he should – if he has the playing skills to do so. Kaepernick’s career had started “great”, he was “wonderful” as a rookie, but then, the US president claimed, the quarterback had lost some of his athletic quality: “As far as kneeling is concerned, I would like to see him get another chance.

Trump made his surprising U-turn against the backdrop of protests against racism and police brutality after the violent death of African-American George Floyd on May 25 – a police officer is to be charged with second-degree murder. Just three weeks ago, the President had interfered and tweeted in the debate about the behavior of athletes when playing the national anthem before a game: “There are other things you can protest against, but not our Great American Flag – NO KINGING!

Also on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Chargers signalled interest in signing Kaepernick. “It would be crazy,” said head coach Anthony Lynn, not to at least invite him to a trial training session. Kaepernick is exactly the type of quarterback who fits the Chargers’ system. Although the club already has three playmakers under contract, “you can never have enough people on the catwalk,” Lynn said.