A brief history of the Kaepernick-Seahawks rivalry

The Seattle Seahawks' reported interest in free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick could signal the death of what was once the NFL's hottest rivalry.

From the time Kaepernick took over starting duties for the San Francisco 49ers in 2012, the Niners and Seahawks waged a memorable set of battles that peaked in 2013. It was in that season that the divisional foes met in the conference title game for the right to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Kaepernick took to the air versus the Legion of Boom a total of eight times. Here are the highlights of their rivalry:

2012: Baptism by fire

Kaepernick took his first crack at the Seahawks in a Week 16 game in 2012. He had earned his first career start in Week 11 after Alex Smith was knocked out with a concussion, and wouldn't release his grip on the reins of the Niners' offense.

However, the Hawks gave him a rude welcome to the NFC West battlefield with a 42-13 drubbing.

Kaepernick was outclassed by a rookie Russell Wilson, who completed 15-of-21 passes with four touchdowns, while Kaepernick struggled in his first experience on the road at CenturyLink Field. He went just 19-for-36 for 244 yards and one touchdown toss, adding seven rushes for 31 yards.

Luckily for Kap, they would see each other again.

2013: Seahawks lower the boom

Kaepernick didn't have to wait long for their next meeting.

A few months after nearly leading the 49ers to a comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, he faced off against the Seahawks again in Week 2 of the following season. The results were very much the same as their previous meeting.

Kaepernick threw three picks and lost a fumble in Seattle as the Niners stumbled in a 29-3 loss.

The leaders of the Legion of Boom had Kap's number, as Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor all corralled interceptions.

2013: A breakthrough

Sherman opened the contest by calling it a "glorified practice," and who could fault him for his bravado? Their Week 13 game didn't follow the script, however.

The foes traded scores in the second quarter and both defenses pitched shutouts in the third. The 49ers required four field goals from kicker Phil Dawson in order to pull out the 19-17 victory.

The triumph was part of an eight-game win streak for the Niners that would pit them against the Seahawks for a third time in the NFC Championship Game.

2013: NFC title game

Who could forget this game?

It wasn't Kaepernick's best performance, as he threw for 153 yards and was intercepted twice, but he made up for it by gaining 130 yards on the ground.

The Hawks led 23-17 late in the fourth quarter, but Kaepernick had the Niners driving for the game-winning score with a minute left.

On a first-down pass from inside the Seattle 20-yard line, he threw a toss to the corner of the end zone that Sherman batted into the air and into the waiting arms of linebacker Malcolm Smith. It's the play that led to Sherman's memorable postgame rant.

"I'm the best corner in the game," he shouted. "When you try me with a sorry receiver like (Michael) Crabtree, that's the result you gon get! Don't you ever talk about me!"

The Seahawks went on to win the Super Bowl two weeks later.

2014: The drought

Kaepernick wouldn't win another game against the Seahawks.

In 2014, San Francisco scored just 10 points in its two games against Seattle. The Seahawks shut down the 49ers 19-3 and 17-7 on their way to another Super Bowl appearance.

The Niners finished the year 8-8. Kaepernick remained the team's unquestioned starter, but his head coach was dismissed after the season.

2015: A new regime

The results remained the same under new head coach Jim Tomsula. Kaepernick's ineffectiveness was a growing concern, as he was held to 124 yards passing, no touchdowns, and no rushes in a 20-3 Thursday night loss to the hated Seahawks.

He held the starting role for one more game before being supplanted by Blaine Gabbert.

2016: An old tale

In his final start against Seattle, and his final game as a 49er, Kaepernick came up short again, losing 25-23.

Despite the promises of a rebirth under the tutelage of offensive savant Chip Kelly, he started in 11 games and lost 10 of them. The 49ers fell to 2-14 while the Seahawks returned to the playoffs with a 10-5-1 record.

With that, and Seattle's recently reported pursuit of the free agent, the rivalry appears to be officially over.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)