Choices and consequences

I
t’s really one of the life lessons that is, or at least should be, taught really early in life. 
The choices we make ultimately have consequences that will result. 
Recently, Colin Kaepernick attempted to make a comeback and secure a position with an NFL team after three years of being ostracized from the league. 
As we all know, he became persona non grata after choosing to use his celebrity status to attempt to bring attention to police brutality toward African Americans by taking a knee during the National Anthem prior to the start of 49ers football games. 
He was given an opportunity to make a comeback with a “tryout” scheduled in Atlanta last month, but at the 11th hour, changed location because he didn’t like that the media was not allowed to cover the workout. 
Long story short, the NFL has unanimously said no to offering Kaepernick an opportunity to get back in the game. 
When watching the video taken at his alternative venue, the guy made some impressive passes. There’s no doubt he has an arm and could be an asset to a team.
However, his choice to use his celebrity status to try to make a political point that insulted a nation has truly come to bite him in his behind, and that is a consequence he has to accept. 
I’m all about freedom of expression. It’s the backbone of this country. However, we also need to recognize that our freedom to swing our fist ends where another’s nose begins. 
Kaepernick swung his fist and bloodied the noses of a nation who believes in the sanctity of the flag of the United States. 
His attempt to regain his pro status was fraught with contempt and entitlement, and apparently no one was buying it. In the aftermath of the tryout, none of the smattering of team representatives who attended made an offer to sign him. 
However, one of the receivers who helped him out during the workout walked away with an offer. Jordan Veasy caught the eye of the Washington Redskins and was signed to their practice squad shortly after they watched him haul in long bombs from Kaepernick. Veasy had recently been cut from the Buffalo Bill’s practice squad, so was thankful for the opportunity to show what he could do to other NFL franchises. His choice to help Kaepernick had a positive consequence for him.
We can all learn a lesson from this situation. When we choose to perform an action, regardless of the righteousness of that action, there will be repercussions. No one else is responsible for what we do, therefore accountability is ours alone. 
Kaepernick announced a couple of days ago that he is no longer interested in playing professional football, although given the fact that he just tried to get back in and made it clear that he was waiting for a call from anyone who might be interested, I find his claim to be a little hollow. 
I’m sure it is his way of trying to take ownership of the future (or lack thereof) of his pro career, but I’m pretty sure he’d jump at the chance to don any uniform were the offer to materialize. 
I wonder if he realizes that the workout the NFL offered him was a test to see if he possessed the ability to be compliant to expectations, and that his insistence on doing things his way meant an utter failure in that respect?
I’m guessing that is not the case. I’m thinking he has yet to learn that everything he does has consequences that go with it.