The NFL scheduled a workout for former quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Saturday so he could show off his “football readiness and desire to return to the NFL,” according to the league. But Kaepernick canceled a half hour before the scheduled time and moved his workout 60 miles away to a local Atlanta high school

When Kaepernick showed up on the field at Charles Drew High School in Riverdale, Georgia, he wore a t-shirt emblazoned with “Kunta Kinte,” the name of a slave character from Alex Haley’s 1976 novel Roots.

The NFL was notified on Friday that Kaepernick desired to bring his own film crew to record the workout. The league agreed with Nike’s request “to shoot an ad featuring Kaepernick and mentioning all the NFL teams present at the workout.” They also consented to allow Kaepernick’s representatives on the field during the workout to let them see how the workout was filmed.

Initially, Kaepernick expressed enthusiasm for the workout. On Tuesday, he posted to Twitter, “I’m just getting word from my representatives that the NFL league office reached out to them about a workout in Atlanta on Saturday. I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years, can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.”

It was announced earlier in the week 32 clubs with head coaches and general managers including the Atlanta Falcons video crew were expected on Saturday. But conflicting news surfaced over the list of teams that would be there for Saturday’s workout. More news trickled in that some of teams didn’t understand why the workout was even scheduled to begin with.

ESPN star Stephen A. Smith criticized Kaepernick for canceling and moving his workout in a 3-minute video. “He doesn’t want to play,” said Smith. “He wants to be a martyr. But guess what, it ain’t working this time.”

“You don’t want to work. You just want to make noise. You just want to control the narrative.”

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Eric Reid, the Carolina Panthers safety, defended Kaepernick on Twitter: “Tap dancing for the NFL like ⬇️. Da– straight Colin wants to control the narrative! He supposed to trust the organization that blackballed him and has done absolutely nothing in good faith??? Born on Tuesday, just not last Tuesday,” wrote Reid.

 “Tap dancing for the NFL like ⬇️. Da– straight Colin wants to control the narrative! He supposed to trust the organization that blackballed him and has done absolutely nothing in good faith??? Born on Tuesday, just not last Tuesday.”

Smith took the argument to Instagram: “The more you talk, the more ridiculous you sound, @e_reid35. Actually, it’s worse than I thought since you’re the one tweeting at me hours before a da– game. And speaking of the game, weren’t you in Atlanta in attendance for Kaepernick’s workout yesterday — before having to leave EARLY to play for a team in a league you’re feeling so oppressed by? Wasn’t that you? Just asking!”

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The more you talk, the more ridiculous you sound, @e_reid35. Actually, it’s worse than I thought since you’re the one tweeting at me hours before a damn game. And speaking of the game, weren’t you in Atlanta in attendance for Kaepernick’s workout yesterday — before having to leave EARLY to play for a team in a league you’re feeling so oppressed by? Wasn’t that you? Just asking! Hold on! I have more! That same Malcolm X — who we all revere for life — you just brought up acknowledged there were slight errors in his thinking. You didn’t bring that up? You Eric Reid went through the same process Kap was suppose to be go through and you’re still playing on Sunday. But you didn’t bring that up! And unlike you, walking around and doing nothing but bitching at every turn, myself and many others in the media have religiously called out the NFL for blackballing Kap. We’ve religiously highlighted the unfairness of it all. And some of us have worked behind the scenes, trying to help Jay-Z and others in their quest to get Kap back in the league. Meanwhile, what is Eric Reid doing? Complaining like he wants to be on @firsttake. Failing to stop the run on Sundays. Talking S$&@ about the NFL at every turn.......but asking for that check, no doubt! Yet, I’m the one tap dancing. Why? Because I’m gainfully employed while trying to remind youngsters out her of the pitfalls that lie-in-wait. Meanwhile, someone like you continues to throw professionalism, decorum and decency into the wind — sending folks down a dead-end path — all because your boy isn’t getting precisely his way.....when NO ONE gets their way. So who’s the SELLOUT! Guess what, it’s neither of us. We just have a difference of opinion. I still respect the hell out of your immature, belligerent self. But I’m going to call it like I see it. Kaepernick made a mistake the way he handled all this.......IF he really wants a job in the NFL. Period. And your contribution to all of this doesn’t help. It hurts. It ain’t about you being wrong. It’s about you needing to grow the hell up. Your decision. Your life! Do you!

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Hundreds of fans gathered at the end zone of Charles Drew High School’s football field to watch Kaepernick throw passes for about 40 minutes to free-agent receivers Brice Butler, Bruce Ellington, Jordan Veasy and Ari Werts. Kaepernick signed autographs for fans after throwing passes.

“I’ve been ready for three years. I’ve been denied for three years,” Kaepernick told reporters “… we are waiting for the 32 owners, 32 teams and [NFL Commissioner] Roger Goodell to stop running. Stop running from the truth, stop running from the people.”

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback made headlines six months ago when he asked Nike to reconsider selling their new line of sneakers with the Betsy Ross flag, stating the flag was offensive. Nike ended up pulling all of the new shoes from their racks.

Kaepernick had a reported net worth of $22 million in 2016. It’s not known how much Kaepernick earns from his Nike contract. LeBron James’ associates told GQ magazine that LeBron’s deal with Nike is worth over $1 billion.