San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick speaks during a news conference after the team's arrival for the NFL's Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, La. Jan. 27, 2013. (REUTERS/Jeff Haynes)
Before Colin Kaepernick could begin convincing anybody that his surprising elevation to starting quarterback in November was the right call, he first had to win over his San Francisco 49ers teammates. Immediately.
And he did.
That, more than anything, tells you how much respect Kaepernick instantly commanded not only with his sharp play, but with his work ethic, humility and leadership.
Here’s the context.
A large number of Niners players think the world of deposed starter Alex Smith – as a quarterback, as a teammate and as a friend.
Some of them – like most of us – probably privately wondered what the hell head coach Jim Harbaugh was doing, risking his already promising, championship-calibre season by benching Smith for a second-year guy who’d barely ever played.
