Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem on August 26, 2016, to protest police brutality and racial injustice, sparking a national debate that transcended sports.
Initial Protest
Kaepernick initially sat during the anthem but switched to kneeling after consulting with Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret and NFL player, who suggested it as a more respectful form of protest.
The gesture was largely ignored until a September 1, 2016 game when it gained media attention. Teammate Eric Reid joined him, starting a movement across the NFL.
NFL Response
By 2017, dozens of NFL players knelt during the anthem, with some teams locking arms or staying in locker rooms. President Donald Trump criticized the protests in September 2017, calling for owners to fire players who knelt.
The NFL initially avoided punishing players but enacted a 2018 policy requiring players to stand or stay in locker rooms, later suspended after player backlash.
Kaepernick’s Career End
Kaepernick opted out of his 49ers contract in March 2017 and was not signed by any team despite being a viable starting QB. He filed a collusion grievance against the NFL in 2017, settling in 2019 for an undisclosed amount (~$10 million reported).
His 2019 workout arranged by the NFL was moved last-minute to a high school field, with only seven teams attending. No offers followed, ending his professional career at age 29.
Nike Deal & Cultural Icon
Nike made Kaepernick the face of its 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign in 2018 with the slogan “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” The ad sparked boycotts and shoe burnings but increased Nike’s stock value.
The deal reportedly earned Kaepernick millions annually, with Nike donating to his Know Your Rights Camp youth activism organization.
Black Lives Matter Connection
Kaepernick’s protest predated the 2020 George Floyd protests but gained retroactive vindication as NFL players, coaches, and the league publicly supported Black Lives Matter.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted in 2020 the league should have listened to players sooner, though Kaepernick remained unsigned.
Legacy
#TakeAKnee became a rallying cry for athlete activism, with LeBron James, Megan Rapinoe, and international athletes adopting similar protests. The gesture normalized political expression in sports.
Kaepernick’s sacrifice—career ending at his peak—elevated him to martyr status among social justice advocates. He received Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award (2018) and other humanitarian honors.
https://kaepernick7.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._national_anthem_kneeling_protests