Career Timeline of Colin Kaepernick: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Colin Kaepernick made an impact.

Colin Kaepernick is a former NFL quarterback and current civil rights activist. He played six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Kaepernick gained widespread recognition in 2016 when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice against African Americans in the United States. This action sparked national debate, with some praising him for raising awareness and others criticizing him for disrespecting the flag and the military. He became a free agent in 2017 and remains unsigned by any NFL team, leading to claims of blacklisting due to his activism.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1994: 49ers Last Super Bowl Appearance

The 2012 season marked the 49ers first Super Bowl appearance since 1994.

October 10, 2004: Rattay's 400-yard Game

On October 10, 2004, Tim Rattay was the last 49ers quarterback to have a 400-yard game before Kaepernick in 2013.

February 2006: Signed With Nevada

In February 2006, Kaepernick signed with the University of Nevada, Reno after they offered him a football scholarship.

2007: College Career Start

In 2007, Colin Kaepernick began his college football career with the Nevada Wolf Pack as a back-up quarterback, playing in 11 of the team's 13 games.

2009: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs

In 2009, Colin Kaepernick was selected in the 43rd round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Chicago Cubs, but he chose to continue playing football at the University of Nevada.

November 26, 2010: Victory Against Boise State

On November 26, 2010, Colin Kaepernick led his team to a 34–31 overtime victory against the previously undefeated Boise State Broncos, snapping their 24-game win streak.

2010: Playoff Miss

After the 2014 season, the 49ers failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

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April 29, 2011: Drafted by 49ers

On April 29, 2011, the San Francisco 49ers selected Colin Kaepernick as the 36th overall pick in the NFL draft after trading up with the Denver Broncos.

2011: Backup Quarterback

During the 2011 season, Kaepernick served as backup to Alex Smith, attempting only five passes in three games.

2011: Drafted by the 49ers

In 2011, Colin Kaepernick was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the NFL draft after playing college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack.

2011: Graduation

In 2011, Kaepernick graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management and became eligible for the NFL Draft.

2012: Starting Quarterback

In 2012, Kaepernick became the starting quarterback for the 49ers after Smith's injury, leading to a quarterback controversy due to his dynamic play and arm strength. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week and led the 49ers to the playoffs.

2012: Became 49ers' Starter

In the middle of the 2012 season, Kaepernick became the 49ers' starting quarterback after Alex Smith suffered a concussion, leading the team to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1994.

2013: Season Opener

During the 2013 season opener, Colin Kaepernick threw for a career-high 412 yards and three touchdowns, leading the 49ers to a 12-4 record and a berth in the NFL playoffs.

2013: NFC Championship Game

During the 2013 season, Kaepernick, in his first full season as a starter, helped the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game.

2015: Injured Shoulder and Loss of Starting Job

In 2015, Kaepernick struggled under coach Jim Tomsula, lost his starting job to Blaine Gabbert, and suffered a season-ending shoulder injury requiring surgery.

February 2016: Expressed Interest in Trade

In February 2016, Kaepernick expressed an interest in being traded from the 49ers.

September 2016: Kneeling During the Anthem and Social Justice Involvement

In September 2016, Kaepernick kneeled during the U.S. national anthem after a conversation with Nate Boyer. He grew more involved in social justice issues and commented on the police shootings of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott. He also acknowledged wearing socks depicting police officers as pigs as a statement against "rogue cops".

2016: Competition for Starting QB

Entering the 2016 season, Kaepernick competed with Blaine Gabbert for the starting quarterback position. Gabbert was named the starter to open the season.

2016: Departure from 49ers

Following his departure from the 49ers in 2016, Kaepernick went unsigned through the off-season and 2017 training camps.

2016: Founding of Know Your Rights Camp

In 2016, Colin Kaepernick and his partner Nessa founded the "Know Your Rights Camp", an organization providing free seminars to disadvantaged youths focusing on self-empowerment, American history, and legal rights.

2016: Kaepernick's 2016 Season Performance and Contract Restructure

In 2016, Kaepernick started as quarterback after a contract restructure. He achieved milestones like joining a select group of NFL quarterbacks with at least three passing touchdowns and 100 rushing yards in a game, but also experienced a career-low passing performance. The 49ers had their first victory of the season with Kaepernick as the starter on December 24th. He finished the 2016 NFL season with 2,241 passing yards, sixteen passing touchdowns, four interceptions and added 468 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

2016: Kaepernick's Social Commentary and Anthem Protest

In 2016, leading up to the NFL season, Colin Kaepernick was active on social media, commenting on police shootings. During the 49ers' third preseason game, he was noticed sitting during the "The Star-Spangled Banner" to protest oppression of black people and people of color.

March 3, 2017: Kaepernick opts out of 49ers contract

On March 3, 2017, Colin Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers and became a free agent.

May 2017: Seahawks Visit

In May 2017, The Seattle Seahawks brought Colin Kaepernick in for a visit, but did not work him out or offer a contract.

November 2017: Filing Grievance Against the NFL

In November 2017, Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners, accusing them of collusion for keeping him out of the league.

2017: Pete Carroll's Regret and Team Interest

In June 2020, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll expressed regret for not signing Kaepernick in 2017 but stated he would not sign him for the 2020 season. Carroll also mentioned that another team had contacted him for insight on Kaepernick, marking the first such inquiry since 2017.

April 2018: Seahawks postpone workout

In April 2018, the Seahawks postponed indefinitely a scheduled visit and workout with Colin Kaepernick after he would not say whether he would continue his national anthem protest or not.

August 2018: Arbitrator Rejects NFL Dismissal Request

In August 2018, an arbitrator rejected the NFL's request to dismiss Colin Kaepernick's collusion case.

2018: Million Dollar Pledge and Donations

In 2018, Kaepernick announced he would make the final $100,000 donation of his "Million Dollar Pledge" in the form of $10,000 donations to charities, matched by celebrities.

February 2019: Grievance Withdrawn After Settlement

In February 2019, Colin Kaepernick withdrew his grievance against the NFL after reaching a confidential settlement.

February 2019: Kaepernick's Talks with AAF and XFL

In February 2019, Kaepernick reportedly spoke with the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and XFL about potentially becoming a quarterback, seeking a guaranteed $20 million per season.

November 12, 2019: NFL Sets Up Workout in Atlanta

On November 12, 2019, the NFL arranged a workout for Colin Kaepernick in Atlanta, inviting all 32 teams. However, on November 16, Kaepernick changed the venue due to concerns about the workout's publicity and liability waiver issues. He held a public throwing session attended by scouts from seven NFL teams instead.

November 2019: Lack of NFL Tryouts and Continued Training

Prior to November 2019, Colin Kaepernick had not had an NFL tryout since becoming a free agent. He continued working out five days a week and expressed his desire to continue playing.

February 2020: Kaepernick Publishing Started

In February 2020, Kaepernick started Kaepernick Publishing.

April 2020: Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Relief Fund

In April 2020, the Know Your Rights Camp launched a relief fund for individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Kaepernick donating $100,000 to the fund.

June 2020: Pete Carroll's Regret and Team Interest

October 2020: Abolition For The People project launch

In October 2020, Kaepernick Publishing launched "Abolition For The People" with Medium, featuring 30 essays advocating for police and prison abolition.

2020: Partnerships with Impossible Foods and Ben & Jerry's

In 2020, Kaepernick partnered with Impossible Foods to provide vegan food to communities. Also in 2020, he partnered with Ben & Jerry's to create a vegan flavor called "Change the Whirled," with proceeds benefiting his "Know Your Rights Camp."

October 29, 2021: Colin in Black & White Premiered on Netflix

On October 29, 2021, Netflix premiered Colin in Black & White, a six-episode limited series about Kaepernick's teenage years, co-created by Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay.

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April 2022: I Color Myself Different published

In April 2022, Kaepernick published a children's book titled I Color Myself Different through his publishing company and Scholastic.

I Color Myself Different

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May 2022: Workout for the Las Vegas Raiders

In May 2022, Colin Kaepernick worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders.

August 2024: Coaching Job Offer from Jim Harbaugh

In August 2024, Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, revealed that he had offered Colin Kaepernick a coaching job, but Kaepernick declined.

2025: Potential Future Coaching Opportunity

In August 2024, Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, revealed that he had offered Colin Kaepernick a coaching job, but Kaepernick declined. Harbaugh mentioned that the opportunity might be available for the start of the 2025 season should Kaepernick change his mind.