John Elway gives deposition in Colin Kaepernick collusion case against NFL

Mike Klis | KUSA

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Denver Broncos general manager John Elway gave an hour-long deposition Tuesday to lawyers of Colin Kaepernick in the quarterback’s collusion grievance against the NFL, sources told 9NEWS.

The deposition was held at Broncos headquarters. Kaepernick attended the deposition.

Kaepernick is claiming NFL teams are colluding to keep him from playing quarterback in part because of his controversial protests against what he perceives as social injustice in this country by first sitting, then kneeling during the playing of the national anthem prior to NFL games. Kaepernick demonstrated his position during the 2016 season while playing for the San Francisco 49ers. He has not played since he opted out of his contract following that season.

Also deposed by Kaepernick’s lawyers were Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh, Seattle general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll and NFL owners Stephen Ross and Bob McNair.

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What makes Elway unique from the others was he was the last NFL executive who offered Kaepernick a job. Elway was trying to acquire Kaepernick from the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason leading up to the 2016 season — weeks after the Broncos won Super Bowl 50 — but it was Kaepernick who nixed the deal because he would not accept a pay cut.

Elway was in discussions with Kaepernick and the 49ers about a trade until a week before the 2016 NFL draft. When Kaepernick continued to nix the deal because of money, Elway moved on and took Paxton Lynch in the first round of the 2016 draft.

Although Kaepernick began his national anthem demonstrations after he nixed the trade to the Broncos, Elway already had his quarterback room set, first with Trevor Siemian, Mark Sanchez and Lynch; then with Siemian, Lynch and Chad Kelly and now with Case Keenum — who led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game last season — Lynch and Chad Kelly.

Mike Klis reports for KUSA 9News in Denver, a TEGNA affiliate.