Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality—igniting years of controversy and athlete activism.
The Protest Begins
On August 26, 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during the national anthem before a preseason game to protest police killings of Black Americans and systemic racism. After meeting with veteran Nate Boyer, Kaepernick switched to kneeling as more respectful form of protest. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people,” he said.
National Firestorm
The protest divided America. Supporters saw it as peaceful, constitutional protest using platform for justice. Critics, including President Trump, called it disrespectful to flag, military, and veterans. Other NFL players joined in kneeling. NFL owners pressured teams—Kaepernick became free agent in 2017 and was never signed again despite clear starting-caliber ability.
Legacy and Nike Deal
Kaepernick’s protest inspired global athlete activism. In 2018, Nike made him face of their “Just Do It” 30th anniversary campaign: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.” The ad sparked Nike boycotts but also massive sales. By 2020’s George Floyd protests, kneeling became universal symbol of anti-racism. The NFL apologized in 2020, acknowledging players’ right to protest peacefully.
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