He didn't give it up as much as he didn't work hard enough to keep it. A great quarterback is either blessed with superhuman talent or is a very good talent and works endlessly to become great - every hour of every day.
Kaepaernick is a mirror image of Barack Obama. When Obama's high school basketball coach was invited to the White House in 2009, obstensibly to "bend the knee" for the Magic negro - the coach wasn't having any of it and as he finally got Obama alone he said. " You know. . . you were never as good as you thought you were"
Kaepernick was not cut by the 49ers. He could’ve exercised an option to remain with the team. Kaepernick chose not to exercise the option. It was his choice to leave the 49ers. That’s why I saw he gave up his position as an NFL player.