Written by Michael Wagaman at ESPN.com
Colin Kaepernick insists he’s a changed man. No more trade demands, no more quick, terse answers for the media.
Following an offseason in which he underwent three surgeries and saw his reputation suffer both in the public and in the 49ers’ locker room, the quarterback who helped guide San Francisco to two consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances says his only focus is on getting healthy and reclaiming the starting job.
“I was happy to get back on the field this week,” Kaepernick said Thursday at the conclusion of the 49ers’ three-day mandatory minicamp. “Everything’s coming along and progressing as planned. At this point I can really start to get rolling. I’m excited to get back on the field, get healthy and be ready for this training camp.”
“At this point everything is football, I’m a 49er and excited to work with Chip and his coaching staff. I’m excited about what’s to come.”
It was a considerably different looking and sounding Kaepernick, who was upbeat and positive during an 18-minute meeting with reporters. His body is much lighter and less muscular, and he seemed to say all the right things while continually redirecting the conversation to football rather than the off-field issues that have followed him.
That was in stark contrast to the sullen and sometimes withdrawn attitude Kaepernick exhibited on and off the field in previous years.
This is the same player who once answered 32 questions with a total of 83 words. Only this Kaepernick is different — or at least that’s what he’s saying.
At one point midway through his meeting with reporters, a member of the 49ers coaching staff stepped in to end the interview only to be rebuffed by the 28-year-old quarterback, who said he would answer any question the media had.
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