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 civil rights activist. Best known for playing six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick gained prominence in 2016 for kneeling during the national anthem before NFL games. This action was a protest against police brutality and racial injustice towards African Americans in the United States. The protest sparked widespread debate and controversy, significantly impacting his career and leading to discussions about freedom of speech, patriotism, and social justice within the NFL and American society at large. Since 2017, he has remained unsigned by any NFL team and has become a symbol of resistance and social activism.
February 2006: Signed with Nevada
In February 2006, Colin Kaepernick signed with the University of Nevada, Reno, after they offered him a football scholarship. They were the only college to do so.
November 26, 2010: Victory Against Boise State Broncos
On November 26, 2010, Colin Kaepernick led his team to a 34–31 overtime victory against the previously undefeated Boise State Broncos.
April 29, 2011: Drafted by the 49ers
On April 29, 2011, the San Francisco 49ers traded up to select Colin Kaepernick in the second round of the NFL draft.
2011: Backup Quarterback Season
Colin Kaepernick spent the 2011 season as a backup to Alex Smith, attempting just five passes in three games during the season.
2011: Graduation and NFL Draft Eligibility
In 2011, Colin Kaepernick graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management and became eligible for the NFL Draft after his senior season.
2011: Drafted by the 49ers
In 2011, Colin Kaepernick was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the NFL draft.
2012: Became Starting Quarterback
In 2012, Colin Kaepernick became the starting quarterback for the 49ers after Alex Smith's injury, leading to a quarterback controversy due to his dynamic playing style.
2013: Reached NFC Championship Game
During the 2013 season, Colin Kaepernick helped the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game, marking his first full season as a starter.
2013: Career-High Performance and Playoff Berth
During the 2013 season, Colin Kaepernick threw for a career-high 412 yards in a game and led the 49ers to a 12–4 record and a berth in the NFL playoffs.
August 2016: Kaepernick Wears Malcolm X and Fidel Castro T-Shirt
In August 2016, Kaepernick wore a t-shirt featuring a picture of a meeting between Malcolm X and Fidel Castro and praised the Cuban Literacy Campaign. He also said, "I am a believer in Malcolm X and his ideology and what he talked about and what he believed in as far as fighting oppression".
September 2016: Kaepernick Kneels During Anthem and Addresses Social Justice
In September 2016, Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem to show respect to military members while continuing his protest. He commented on police shootings, calling them "a perfect example of what this is about." He also addressed wearing socks depicting police officers as pigs, stating it was a statement against "rogue cops" and not all police.
2016: Unsigned after 49ers Departure
Following his departure from the 49ers in 2016, Kaepernick went unsigned through the off-season and 2017 training camps, leading to allegations that he was being blackballed because of his on-field political statements as opposed to his performance.
2016: Vegan Diet
In 2016, Colin Kaepernick adopted a vegan diet nine months prior to help recover from injuries.
2016: Protest During National Anthem
In 2016, Colin Kaepernick began protesting racial injustice, police brutality, and oppression by sitting and then kneeling during the U.S. national anthem before NFL games.
2016: Founding of Know Your Rights Camp
In 2016, Kaepernick and his partner Nessa founded the "Know Your Rights Camp", which provided free seminars to disadvantaged youths, teaching them about self-empowerment, American history, and legal rights.
2016: Kaepernick's Performance in 2016 NFL Season
In the 2016 NFL season, Kaepernick played in twelve games, recording 2,241 passing yards, sixteen passing touchdowns, four interceptions, and added 468 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. This marked a significant chapter in his career amid ongoing social activism.
2016: Kaepernick's Anthem Protest Begins
Leading up to the 2016 season, Kaepernick was vocal on social media about police shootings and social issues. During the 49ers' third preseason game in 2016, it was noticed that he sat during the national anthem, explaining that he was protesting racial oppression and police brutality against African Americans. He stated that he would continue to protest until he felt the flag represented what it's supposed to represent.
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, becoming a free agent. This decision followed the 49ers' indication that they planned to release him, as the new coach's offensive scheme did not align with Kaepernick's playing style.
May 2017: Seahawks Show Initial Interest, No Contract Offered
In May 2017, the Seattle Seahawks brought Kaepernick in for a visit but did not offer him a contract or workout. Despite Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll stating Kaepernick was a starting-caliber quarterback, the team chose not to sign him.
2017: Initial Seahawks Meeting
In 2017, the Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll expressed regret for not signing Kaepernick in June 2020.
April 2018: Seahawks Postpone Workout Indefinitely
In April 2018, the Seattle Seahawks postponed indefinitely a scheduled visit and workout with Kaepernick after he declined to confirm whether he would cease his national anthem protests.
2018: Kaepernick's Million Dollar Pledge and Donations
In 2018, Kaepernick completed his pledge to donate $1 million to organizations working in oppressed communities. This included a $25,000 donation to Mothers Against Police Brutality and a final $100,000 donation in the form of $10,000 donations to charities, which were matched by celebrities.
February 2019: Kaepernick's Interest in AAF and XFL
In February 2019, reports surfaced that Kaepernick had discussions with the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and XFL about potentially playing for them, but he sought a guaranteed salary of $20 million per season, which significantly exceeded the leagues' quarterback compensation.
November 12, 2019: NFL Schedules Workout for Kaepernick
On November 12, 2019, the NFL arranged a workout for Kaepernick in Atlanta, inviting all 32 teams to a private session. This workout was intended to include on-field drills and an interview, with videos to be sent to teams.
November 2019: Kaepernick's Continued Efforts to Return to NFL
Before November 2019, Kaepernick had not had an NFL tryout since becoming a free agent, but continued to work out five days a week. He expressed publicly and privately his desire to continue playing in the NFL.
February 2020: Kaepernick Publishing Launched
In February 2020, Colin Kaepernick started Kaepernick Publishing.
April 2020: Know Your Rights Camp Launches COVID-19 Relief Fund
In April 2020, the Know Your Rights Camp launched a relief fund for individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Kaepernick donating $100,000 to the fund.
June 2020: Seahawks Coach Regrets Not Signing Kaepernick in 2017
In June 2020, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll expressed regret for not signing Kaepernick in 2017, while also stating that he would not be signing him for the 2020 season. Carroll indicated that another team had contacted him for insights on Kaepernick, marking the first such inquiry since their 2017 meeting.
October 2020: Kaepernick Publishing Launches "Abolition For The People"
In October 2020, Kaepernick Publishing, launched "Abolition For The People" with Medium, a collection of essays advocating for police and prison abolition. It criticizes prison reform as merely rebranding systemic racism. The publication reflects Kaepernick's support for abolishing police and prisons.
2020: Partnerships with Impossible Foods and Ben & Jerry's
In 2020, Colin Kaepernick partnered with Impossible Foods to provide vegan food to communities in need. 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."
2020: Renewed Attention Amid George Floyd Protests
In 2020, Colin Kaepernick's protests received renewed attention amid the George Floyd protests against police brutality and racism.
October 29, 2021: Premiere of "Colin in Black & White"
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.
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.
May 2022: Kaepernick Works Out for Las Vegas Raiders
In May 2022, Kaepernick had a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders, marking a significant opportunity to potentially revive his NFL career.
August 2024: Harbaugh Offers Kaepernick Coaching Job
In August 2024, Jim Harbaugh, the Los Angeles Chargers' head coach, revealed that he had offered Kaepernick a coaching position on the team months prior, which Kaepernick declined. Harbaugh indicated that the offer could be revisited for the 2025 season.
2025: Potential Future Coaching Opportunity
In 2025, the potential for Kaepernick to join the Chargers coaching staff exists should he change his mind about the offer extended to him in August 2024.
