Colin Kaepernick was on-site in Ann Arbor for Michigan’s spring game last weekend. He threw passes. He made a pitch for his return to the NFL. He was named an honorary captain.
Kaepernick’s presence, despite much of the criticism surrounding it, was far more than pandering or a publicity stunt for Michigan. After all, it was Jim Harbaugh who coached Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers to their Super Bowl appearance in 2013. Further, Harbaugh has been a mentor to Kaepernick throughout his career.
Though Harbaugh has had no shortage of attention-seeking moments (a sleepover at a recruit's house, climbing a tree, and doing pushups with a walrus are three examples that come readily to mind), his partnership with Kaepernick could hardly be counted in this category.