The details remain unknown regarding the incident that occurred in Miami with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, two other NFL players, and a woman who claims to have no memory of the events that transpired between being naked in a bed and waking up in a hospital. The truth, whatever it is, may never be known.
Whatever Kaepernick may be suspected or eventually accused of doing, his head coach declared on Friday that Kaepernick is innocent.
“At some point there needs to be a resolution to this scenario,” Harbaugh told reporters, via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “The only victim is Colin’s reputation.”
Harbaugh also spoke generally about the various offseason issues involving 49ers players, before again pointing to Kaepernick’s situation.
"[I]n some instances, keep in mind this: There’s sometimes two sides to stories,” Harbaugh said. “And I often see the one side reported in the media. And then it gains incredible speed and attention. The other side still remains to be told. Looking at Colin Kaepernick’s situation, at some point there needs to be a resolution to some of jump-the-gun, witch-hunt kind of scenario that we’re seeing.”
Despite reports that the team has pressed “pause” of Kaepernick’s contract talks until he’s cleared, Harbaugh seems to believe that Kaepernick will be, and that he should be.
“I’ve seen one side reported, heard the other side, and feel very good that there will be a good resolution,” Harbaugh said. “Hopefully, a just one, too, because you hate to see a man’s reputation be the victim.”
The damage to Kaepernick’s reputation, if any, remains vague because there’s still no specific claim or allegation of wrongdoing. And there may never be. Until the authorities in Miami provide a clear and unequivocal exoneration of Kaepernick, some will think that something happened that shouldn’t have happened.
That’s why it’s important for the powers-that-be in Miami to close the case on this one sooner than later. If the case is indeed going to be closed.