Show caption Seattle’s Michael Bennett says “most people know why” Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned. Photograph: Stacy Revere/Getty Images Colin Kaepernick Michael Bennett says Colin Kaepernick snub exposes NFL’s racial divide Defensive end says ‘most people know why’ Kaepernick is still unsigned

Seattle was lone team to bring in former 49ers quarterback for workout Guardian sport Thu 15 Jun 2017 20.08 BST Share on Facebook

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Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett said “most people know why” Colin Kaepernick is still unsigned this late in the off-season, suggesting the free-agent quarterback has been excluded from the NFL due to his views on race and politics.

“I think the league is built on middle America, and most of the middle of America is predominantly a white crowd,” Bennett said on Wednesday. “That’s just the truth of it. I think race is not something that the NFL wants to be a part of or get behind. But the league is predominantly African-American.

“So the issue that he’s dealing with is what we’re all dealing with. We all come from the inner city or we’ve been a part of communities where we felt like we’ve been judged because of the color of our skin or who we like or if a woman – any issue to deal with. We’ve all been dealing with it with someone in our family.”

Bennett’s Seahawks were the lone NFL team who brought in Kaepernick for a workout as one of several candidates in their search for a back-up for incumbent starter Russell Wilson, a job that ultimately went to journeyman Austin Davis.

“Obviously, there’s the elephant in the room why Kaepernick isn’t signed, and most people know why,” Bennett said. “I’ve said this several times, and I’m not afraid to say it: I think race and politics in sports is something people don’t want to hear about, nor do people want to be a part of.”

Seattle coach Pete Carroll said his decision to pass on signing Kaepernick had to do with the quarterback’s belief that he’s still worthy of a starting position.

“If [Carroll] feels that this is not the right situation because we have a starting quarterback, then that’s his choice,” Bennett said. “I think he’s able to have that choice because he’s shown that he’s of a winning pedigree. He wants to make sure he doesn’t have that competition behind his quarterback. I think it’s justifiable.”

Kaepernick completed 59.2% of his passes, averaged 6.8 yards per attempt and threw 16 touchdowns with four interceptions in 12 games for the 49ers last season. But his refusal to stand for the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice became a far bigger story than his on-field performance. He has said he will stand for the anthem next year since his objective for the protest, to start a nationwide debate, has largely been achieved.