Lewis: Ravens Didn't Sign Kaepernick Because Of Girlfriend's Tweet
BALTIMORE (WJZ) - Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is shining new light on the Colin Kaepernick deal that never came to be.
When Joe Flacco was first injured, the Ravens expressed interest in Kaepernick, but never signed him.
Many wondered how close the Ravens were to signing Kaepernick, and Lewis says they were about to close the deal, but one tweet changed the game.
The future hall of famer was on this week's episode of Showtime's "Inside The NFL," and took the time to explain what he knew about the negotiations between Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti.
"Nobody had this kid a job in the NFL," Lewis said. "I can raise my hand and say I did."
Lewis says he and Bisciotti had several conversations about signing the quarterback. "We were talking about giving this kid an opportunity to get back in the National Football League," says Lewis. "I have been fighting for this kid behind the table like nobody has."
Then, Kaepernick's girlfriend, Nessa Diab, tweeted out a photo comparing Bisciotti and Lewis to a slave owner and slave.
"Then, his girl goes out and puts out this racist gesture and doesn't know we are in the back office about to try to get this guy signed," Lewis said.
Once a star for the 49ers, poor play and a protest of the national anthem has Kaepernick looking for a job.
"I'm going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed," Kaepernick said during an interview last year.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh says he's moved past possibly signing Kaepernick.
"I'm not even exactly sure what all was said, but I can tell you this, I'm way past that, haven't even thought about that for weeks," he said.
Lewis said all owner Steve Biscotti wanted was to hear Kaepernick tell him that he wanted to play football, but he never got that chance, because the image had already been tweeted out.
On "Inside The NFL," Lewis was asked if not for that tweet, would Kaepernick be a Baltimore Raven this season?
"Then [Biscotti's] flying him to Baltimore. I am sitting with all three of them and we are all having a conversation about bringing Colin Kaepernick in," Lewis replied.
While Kaepernick only needs one team to roll the dice, it seems like that ship has sailed in Baltimore.
Earlier in the summer, Ravens officials said they consulted with fans, players, and sponsors about the possibility of signing Kaepernick.
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