Well, the big show is finally here. After backing up Blaine Gabbert for five weeks, Colin Kaepernick was renamed the starting quarterback of the 49ers on Tuesday. The 28-year-old, who initiated a sports-wide movement to protest during the national anthem back in the preseason, grabs the reins as San Francisco travels to Buffalo this Sunday.
Chip Kelly: "@Kaepernick7 will start this week." #SFvsBUF pic.twitter.com/rFipkerwK3
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 11, 2016
Social media reacted quickly to this mid-day Tuesday news:
We behind @Kaepernick7 this weekend like…… pic.twitter.com/9LqVvvWUOJ
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) October 11, 2016
Let's do this. Go @Kaepernick7 https://t.co/VYwQLdiKAy
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) October 11, 2016
Video: #49ers Colin Kaepernick practicing and reprising his role as starter pic.twitter.com/bzbDmUzeky
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 11, 2016
#BasketOfDeplorables Colin @Kaepernick7 has never been in trouble, but now he's a thug. These social media keyboard gangsters https://t.co/ElQXTRb7FY
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) October 11, 2016
Kelly on decision to start @Kaepernick7: "We need to improve on the offensive side of the ball & this is the decision we’ve made." #SFvsBUF
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 11, 2016
It's rare for a black quarterback to get his starting job back. Colin Kaepernick did it while starting a protest movement.
— profloumoore (@loumoore12) October 11, 2016
Good for Chip Kelly, not buying the character assassination of Colin Kaepernick. Find out what he can do on the field, not in whisper world.
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) October 11, 2016
When I read that Kaepernick was starting this week pic.twitter.com/12iQxEFjHO
— Beezy430 (@beezy430) October 11, 2016
Kaepernick's reaction to Chip Kelly when he told him the news: "Let's go."
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) October 11, 2016
If u thought Colin Kaepernick became a backup bc of his social activism... 3 words:
Blaine. Gabbert. Benched.
All abt W's, folks. #49ers— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) October 11, 2016
Colin Kaepernick is no longer a backup QB. I guess he is now allowed to have an opinion.
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) October 11, 2016
Going to be interesting to see Kaepernick play--the next 11 games will determine his NFL future.
— michael lombardi (@mlombardifoxtv) October 11, 2016
Kaepernick back in as the 49ers starting QB. Damn it now I have to root for the Niners.
— Khaled Abdallah (@khaled74) October 11, 2016
Kaepernick named the starter. Wait? Did he eat enough magic weight gaining / strength giving sandwiches? It's a miracle. #49ers
— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) October 11, 2016
As usual, #49ers QB Colin Kaepernick was first guy out of locker room and into weight room just minutes before Chip Kelly spoke to media.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) October 11, 2016
Play log from first drive of Sunday's SF-BUF game:
Kaepernick rushes for -1
Kaepernick rushes for -1
Kaepernick rushes for -1— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) October 11, 2016
Prepare for the bad Colin Kaepernick taking a knee jokes
— Chris Aung-Thwin (@TeamBurma) October 11, 2016
If all goes well for Kaepernick, he'll be taking a knee at the beginning and end of the game Sunday (sorry, we tried to warn you).
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
