Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Colin Kaepernick
Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Colin Kaepernick.
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.
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: 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: 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.
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.
August 2017: Allegations of Blackballing and Statistical Analysis
By August 2017, Kaepernick remained unsigned, leading to widespread allegations of blackballing due to his political statements. Statistics website FiveThirtyEight concluded that "it's obvious Kaepernick is being frozen out for his political opinions" citing his prolonged unemployment despite being an above-average quarterback.
September 2017: Trump's Comments Intensify Protests
In September 2017, after President Donald Trump's remarks about firing protesting players, the anthem protests intensified.
October 2017: Kaepernick Files Grievance Against the NFL
In October 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, accusing league owners of colluding to keep him out of the league due to his protests. The NFL's request to dismiss the case was denied, setting the stage for a trial.
November 2017: Filed Grievance Against the NFL
In November 2017, Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners, accusing them of collusion in keeping him out of the league.
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.
August 2018: Arbitrator Rejects NFL's Request to Dismiss Case
In August 2018, the arbitrator Stephen B. Burbank rejected the NFL's request to dismiss Kaepernick's case against the league.
2018: Nike Ad Featuring Kaepernick
In 2018, Nike released an ad featuring Kaepernick with the slogan "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything." The NFL acknowledged Kaepernick's social justice campaign, recognizing that it "deserve(s) our attention and action".
February 15, 2019: Kaepernick Reaches Settlement with NFL
On February 15, 2019, Kaepernick reached a confidential settlement with the NFL and withdrew his grievance. Eric Reid, who had supported Kaepernick's protests, also settled with the league.
February 2019: Settlement with the NFL
In February 2019, Colin Kaepernick withdrew his grievance against the NFL after reaching a confidential settlement.
July 2019: Nike Withdraws Shoe After Kaepernick's Concerns
In July 2019, Nike withdrew its Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July trainers, which featured the Betsy Ross flag, after Colin Kaepernick expressed concerns that it was offensive due to its association with slavery. The decision sparked widespread debate and criticism.
November 22, 2019: Ta-Nehisi Coates on Kaepernick's "Fight Against Cancellation"
In an opinion piece published by The New York Times on November 22, 2019, Ta-Nehisi Coates argued that Kaepernick was "not fighting for a job" but rather "fighting against cancellation", highlighting the broader implications of his situation.
June 2020: NFL Wrestles with Race Amid Kaepernick Reconsideration
Amid the George Floyd protests in June 2020, The New York Times highlighted the NFL's struggle with race, noting the league's predominantly African-American player base and white ownership. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized for not listening to African-American players' concerns, with his statement criticized as hypocritical due to the league's rejection of Kaepernick.
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: 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.
