Megan Rapinoe slammed for being 'Anti-American' after saying Colin Kaepernick should carry USA flag at 2028 Olympics in LA

Megan Rapinoe wants Colin Kaepernick to carry the United States flag at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

Rapinoe met Kaepernick at the recent Paris Games and opened up on the encounter on her podcast with her partner, Sue Bird.

'I would love to see Colin be able to represent America in an Olympics. I think that would be a special,' Rapinoe said. 'He's my flag bearer, I think that would be really incredible to have that representation of America be front and center.

'He would be so good at flag football, I mean, he would be so good in the NFL. Let's just be clear about that, he's still being blackballed by the NFL right now.'

Kaepernick has been linked with a return to the NFL but only in a coaching capacity with the Los Angeles Chargers, who are being coached by Jim Harbaugh.

The 36-year-old Kaepernick has not played in the NFL for eight years, since he took a knee during the national anthem and ignited nationwide controversy. 

Her ideas prompted widespread backlash from most sports fans across social media.

'Nobody is surprised someone who hates America is emulated by Megan Rapinoe,' said one fan in response.

Another wrote: 'Two anti-Americans. Awesome.' 

A different comment read: 'I would like it to be someone who loves their country. That is who should represent it. Neither of these two fit the bill.'

Rapinoe continued on her meeting: 'To actually be able to talk about the things that he went through, talk about the things that I went through, stuff with our families, and our mom becoming radicalized in certain ways through our actions was really, really amazing.

'It was really amazing to be able to share a private moment. This was such a huge moment for me - I have never met Colin in person. 

'We talk, we text, we know each other and I think it's pretty clear how I feel about Colin.

'For me to be able to share that space with him, to thank him in-person, it was a big highlight.' 

In 2019, Kaepernick settled a grievance with the NFL for an undisclosed amount after accusing owners of blackballing him in retaliation for the controversial protests.

Although Kaepernick remains an NFL outcast, commissioner Roger Goodell admitted in June 2021 that the league should have listened to players' concerns about racism sooner, adding that he encouraged teams to sign the former 49ers star.

'It's something I've trained my whole life for,' Kaepernick said earlier in August. 

'To be able to step back on the field, I think that would be a major moment, a major accomplishment for me. I think I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship.'