Colin Kaepernick Proves His Versatility As He Leads San Francisco 49ers To Super Bowl

Colin Kaepernick was known as a run-first, throw-second quarterback, but in the NFC Championship he showed that there’s a lot more to his game than his legs.

In leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 17-point comeback against the Atlanta Falcons, Kaepernick showed that his arm strength and pocket presence makes him much more than a one-dimensional, running quarterback. Now the second-year player is one win from a Super Bowl title and a place among other 49ers greats like Joe Montana and Steve Young.

In the 28-24 win, Kaepernick was bottled up as the Falcons keyed in on the run option. But Kaepernick stayed in the pocket and beat the Falcons with his throws, hitting them for 233 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions.

It’s been a short ride to the top for the Colin Kaepernick, who spent the beginning of the season on the bench behind Alex Smith. But his fantastic eight weeks as a starter leading up the the NFC Championship game proved just how dangerous he was.

The NFC Championship game itself showed even more, NFL.com‘s Marc Sessler writes:

“Kaepernick has been praised because he can make all the throws — and he did that with efficiency Sunday — but even bigger than his arm was his leadership in the biggest moment of the season. He has proven that he belongs here, playing in the Super Bowl. He belongs under the brightest lights — as do the San Francisco 49ers.”

The win should put the idea to rest that Colin Kaepernick is a run-first quarterback, a successful gimmick, USA Today reporter Lindsay H. Jones contends.

It’s an issue Kaepernick himself addressed, saying that he doesn’t like labels.

“I don’t want to be categorized. I want to be my own man,” Colin Kaepernick said.