Challenges in the Life of Colin Kaepernick in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Colin Kaepernick's life and career.

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

2010: Playoff Miss

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

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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.

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: Kneeling During the National Anthem

In 2016, Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem at the start of NFL games to protest police brutality and racial inequality in the United States, gaining national attention.

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 Protest

In 2016, during the 49ers' third preseason game, Colin Kaepernick sat and then kneeled during the U.S. national anthem to protest racial injustice, police brutality, and oppression, sparking widespread and polarized reactions.

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.

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.

August 2017: Unsigned Status and Blackball Allegations

By August 2017, Kaepernick remained unsigned, leading to allegations of blackballing due to his political statements. Statistics suggested it was unusual for a player of his caliber to remain unsigned for so long.

September 2017: Trump's Comments Intensify Protests

In September 2017, President Donald Trump's call for NFL owners to "fire" players who protest during the national anthem intensified the protest movement initiated by Colin Kaepernick.

October 2017: Grievance Filed Against NFL

In October 2017, Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, accusing league owners of collusion to keep him out of the league.

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.

February 15, 2019: Settlement with NFL

On February 15, 2019, Colin Kaepernick reached a confidential settlement with the NFL and withdrew his grievance. Eric Reid, who had kneeled alongside Kaepernick, also settled with the league.

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.