Choices have consequences.

Colin Kaepernick, former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has learned this lesson after struggling to find a job as a free agent after last year’s protest of the national anthem and for many other reasons.

Last year, Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial oppression. Many other athletes later joined in this protest.

This decision to protest has caused Kaepernick to struggle to find a team to play for. He practiced his freedom of speech which is perfectly acceptable, except he failed to realize that others have the right to disagree with his decision.

Kaepernick’s girlfriend, Nessa Diab, also hurt his employability by posting a racist tweet that stopped the Baltimore Ravens from signing Kaepernick.

She compared a picture of Ray Lewis, former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, hugging Steve Biscotti, owner of the Baltimore Ravens, to a scene from the movie “Django Unchained” about a cruel slave owner.

This action of Kaepernick’s girlfriend, forced the Baltimore Ravens to change their minds and not sign him.

Kaepernick has also stated that he will not be protesting or kneeling during the 2017 football season.

Whether he gets a job or not, he has learned that his actions and others’ actions can be a game-changer and even cause unemployment.