Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, has been a pivotal figure in discussions about racial injustice in the United States since he took a knee during the national anthem in 2016. This act of protest, aimed at highlighting racial violence, has left a lasting impact on the NFL and American sports culture. In a rare interview with NBC News, Kaepernick opened up about his experiences since leaving the league and his belief that he is being actively blackballed by the NFL.
Kaepernick has not participated in an NFL game since the end of the 2016 season, and he revealed that he has not watched any games during this period. He expressed his discontent with the league, stating, "I’m not gonna support an organization that one, is actively blackballing me, but two, has targeted my brothers who have been protesting as part of this as well." His comments underscore the ongoing tensions between the league and players who have chosen to speak out against systemic racism.
During the interview, Kaepernick elaborated on the origins of his protest, revealing that it was his teammate Eric Reid who first suggested the kneeling gesture. While there was speculation that former Green Beret Nate Boyer influenced the decision, Kaepernick clarified that Boyer’s role was more about providing context for how to protest without alienating military supporters. Boyer had advised Kaepernick that sitting on the bench was not an inspiring way to convey their message, leading to the decision to kneel instead.
The fallout from Kaepernick’s protest was significant, generating both support and backlash. Inside the NFL, discussions among players became contentious, with notable figures like Richard Sherman voicing concerns about how players should protest. Outside the league, Kaepernick became a polarizing figure, with public figures offering mixed reactions. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg labeled his actions as “dumb,” while then-President Donald Trump infamously criticized Kaepernick, suggesting that NFL owners should fire players who protested.
Kaepernick's kneeling sparked widespread debate and led to a wave of jersey burnings by disgruntled fans, illustrating the deep divisions within American society regarding issues of race and protest. Kaepernick has since argued that the focus on his method of protest detracted from the critical issues he aimed to address. He stated, "The critique of the method is a way to distract from the actual message," emphasizing that the urgency of addressing racial violence should take precedence over the form of protest.
Despite his controversial exit from the NFL, Kaepernick had a noteworthy final season in 2016, throwing for 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions over 11 games. However, after the season, the 49ers informed him of his release, and he subsequently found himself without a team, despite interest from other franchises. His attempts to return to the league were met with resistance, and in 2017, he filed a grievance against the NFL for collusion, which was settled in 2019.
Since leaving the NFL, Kaepernick has remained active as an advocate for social justice, earning accolades for his work and even publishing a children's book. He has also been the subject of a Netflix documentary series, which chronicles his journey and activism. Throughout this time, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has consistently denied any collusion within the league, maintaining that teams have the autonomy to make their own personnel decisions.
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