I’ve never been a huge fan of football. Growing up in a household where sports took center stage, I often found myself spending Sundays stuck at home, forced to watch games while my parents cheered on their favorite teams. Perhaps this early exposure is why I developed a strong aversion to the sport, especially since I come from a region known for underwhelming football performance.
Fast forward to my life with a sports-enthusiast boyfriend who claimed our TV three nights a week for football, and I began to pay a bit more attention. I started rooting for certain players and learning the ins and outs of the game—though I still don’t fully grasp it. This was around 2012, right as quarterback Colin Kaepernick began making waves with the San Francisco 49ers.
Initially, I wasn’t a fan of Kaepernick. I criticized his casual style during press conferences, often sporting a hoodie and Beats headphones, which seemed unprofessional compared to his peers. I viewed him as arrogant and entitled, a sentiment that became a running joke between me and my father, who would tease me about my so-called “friendship” with him. I categorized Kaepernick with the other football players I disliked—those I deemed thoughtless brutes. But then everything changed.
In 2016, Kaepernick made a groundbreaking decision to kneel during the national anthem as a protest against systemic oppression faced by Black people in America. This pivotal moment made me reevaluate my view of him. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” he stated. “To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”
As his message spread, athletes from various sports followed suit. Kaepernick explained that the ongoing violence against Black individuals motivated his actions, as he felt a responsibility to use his platform for change. He promised to kneel during every game of the 2016-2017 season and committed to donating $1 million of his salary to charity—$100,000 per month to selected organizations. The backlash was immediate; many fans, particularly white ones, told him to just “shut up and play ball,” a refrain that echoes from the past.
True to his word, Kaepernick kneeled throughout the entire season and began his donations in October. To date, the Colin Kaepernick Foundation has contributed $400,000 to various charities, focusing on fighting oppression through education and activism. Notably, the Foundation launched the Know Your Rights camp, providing free resources to youth on self-empowerment and navigating interactions with law enforcement.
At the end of the season, Kaepernick donated his extensive collection of Nike sneakers and athletic gear to local charities, including the Dorothy Day House, which supports homeless and low-income individuals through community services.
His financial contributions have reached various organizations, such as:
- Silicon Valley De-Bug (San Jose, CA): A collective focused on media and community organizing, aiding families affected by police violence.
- Causa Justa/Just Cause (Oakland and San Francisco, CA): Dedicated to assisting displaced Black and Latinx families facing eviction.
- Mothers Against Police Brutality (Dallas, TX): Training community response teams for families impacted by law enforcement violence.
- Black Veterans for Social Justice (Brooklyn, NY): Supporting veterans in securing housing and employment.
- Center for Reproductive Rights (New York, NY): Funding efforts in the global fight for reproductive rights.
Looking back, I realize I was too quick to judge Colin Kaepernick. It’s rare to see a prominent figure genuinely commit to their beliefs, especially at the expense of their career. Despite being released from the 49ers, he stands firm, refusing to “shut up and play ball” for those who prefer silence over activism.
Kaepernick’s legacy may not be defined by football, but rather by his courageous stance for justice and equality.
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In summary, Colin Kaepernick is a remarkable figure who has shifted the narrative around athlete activism and social justice. His actions and commitment to change extend beyond the football field, leaving a lasting impact on society.