History of Colin Kaepernick in Timeline
"Colin Rand Kaepernick is a former NFL quarterback known for his civil rights activism. He played six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before gaining national attention in 2016 for kneeling during the national anthem. This act of protest against police brutality and racial injustice sparked widespread debate and cemented his legacy as a prominent activist."
November 3, 1987: Birth
Colin Kaepernick was born on November 3, 1987, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1987: Kaepernick is Born and Put Up for Adoption
Colin Kaepernick was born to a 19-year-old Heidi Russo in 1987. He was placed with a white couple, Rick and Teresa Kaepernick, for adoption when he was 5 weeks old.
1992: Kaepernick Wins WAC Offensive Player of the Year
In his sophomore season in 1992, Kaepernick became the first player since Marshall Faulk of San Diego State in 1992 to win the WAC Offensive Player of the Year.
February 2006: Kaepernick Commits to University of Nevada
Despite receiving scholarship offers for baseball, Kaepernick chose to pursue football and signed with the University of Nevada in February 2006.
2007: Kaepernick's Freshman Season
Kaepernick began his college football career as a backup quarterback for the Nevada Wolf Pack in 2007, playing in 11 games.
2009: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs
Kaepernick was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 43rd round of the 2009 MLB draft, but he chose to continue playing football at the University of Nevada.
2009: Kaepernick Wins WAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year
Kaepernick was named WAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year with Kellen Moore, who had won the award in 2009.
November 26, 2010: Nevada Defeats Boise State
On November 26, 2010, Kaepernick led Nevada to a victory against the previously undefeated Boise State Broncos, ending their 24-game win streak that had dated back to the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl.
2010: Fines and Missed Playoffs
In 2010, the 49ers finished the season 8–8 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Kaepernick threw for 3,369 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He rushed for 639 yards and one touchdown.
April 29, 2011: 49ers Draft Kaepernick
The San Francisco 49ers traded up with the Denver Broncos to draft Kaepernick as the 36th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft on April 29, 2011.
2011: Kaepernick Graduates College
Kaepernick graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management with a 4.0 GPA in 2011.
2011: Drafted to the NFL
Colin Kaepernick was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.
2011: Kaepernick's Rookie Season
Kaepernick spent his 2011 rookie season as backup to Alex Smith and only attempted five passes in three games.
2012: First NFL Start
Colin Kaepernick became the 49ers starting quarterback in 2012 after Alex Smith suffered a concussion and led the team to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1994.
2012: Kaepernick Replaces Injured Alex Smith
Kaepernick became the starting quarterback in 2012 after Alex Smith suffered a concussion in Week 10. Kaepernick remained the starter after a string of impressive performances and led the 49ers to the playoffs.
2013: NFL Top 100 Players
Colin Kaepernick was ranked 81st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.
2013: NFC Championship Game
In 2013, Kaepernick led the 49ers to the NFC Championship game in his first full season as a starter.
2013: Career-High Performance
In the 2013 season opener against the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick threw for a career-high 412 yards and three touchdowns. He ended the season with 3,197 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 524 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns, leading the 49ers to a 12–4 record and a playoff berth.
2014: Playoff Run and NFL Top 100 Ranking
In 2014, Kaepernick led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. He was ranked 81st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.
July 2015: Kaepernick Begins Dating Nessa Diab
Kaepernick began dating radio personality and television host Nessa Diab in July 2015.
2015: Struggles and Injury
In 2015, Kaepernick struggled under new head coach Jim Tomsula and lost his starting job to Blaine Gabbert. He ended the season with 1,615 yards passing, six passing touchdowns, five interceptions, and 256 rushing yards with one rushing touchdown in nine games.
2015: Kaepernick Adopts a Vegan Lifestyle
In late 2015, Kaepernick adopted a vegan diet.
February 2016: Kaepernick and Diab Make Their Relationship Public
After starting their relationship in July 2015, Kaepernick and Nessa Diab officially announced their relationship to the public in February 2016.
February 2016: Trade Request
In February 2016, Kaepernick expressed an interest in being traded.
August 2016: Kaepernick Shows Support for Malcolm X and Fidel Castro
In August 2016, Kaepernick wore a t-shirt depicting a meeting between Malcolm X and Fidel Castro. He expressed admiration for the Cuban Literacy Campaign and declared himself a believer in Malcolm X's ideology, particularly his stance on combating oppression.
September 2016: Kaepernick Kneels During Anthem, Sparks Controversy
In September 2016, Colin Kaepernick shifted his protest method, opting to kneel during the national anthem before NFL games. This decision, influenced by a conversation with former NFL player and military veteran Nate Boyer, aimed to show more respect for military personnel while continuing to raise awareness about police brutality and racial injustice. Kaepernick's kneeling gesture further fueled the national conversation and drew both support and criticism.
2016: Departure from the 49ers
Following his departure from the 49ers in 2016, Kaepernick went unsigned through the off-season and 2017 training camps.
2016: Kaepernick Founds Know Your Rights Camp
In addition to his protests, Colin Kaepernick co-founded the "Know Your Rights Camp" in 2016 with his partner Nessa. This organization aims to empower disadvantaged youth by providing free seminars on topics such as self-empowerment, American history, and legal rights, fostering knowledge and agency among young people facing systemic challenges.
2016: Competition for Starting Position
Kaepernick competed for the starting quarterback position with Blaine Gabbert after recovering from three surgeries. New head coach Chip Kelly named Gabbert as the starter to open the season.
2016: Return to Starting Lineup and Season Performance
Kaepernick returned to the starting lineup in Week 6 of the 2016 season. He had some notable performances, including a game with three passing touchdowns and 113 yards rushing. He finished the season with 2,241 passing yards, sixteen passing touchdowns, four interceptions, and 468 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
2016: Kaepernick Begins Protest
Leading up to the 2016 NFL season, Colin Kaepernick became increasingly vocal on social media about his stance on social justice issues, particularly regarding police brutality and racial injustice. Kaepernick's decision to sit during the national anthem sparked both support and controversy, igniting a national conversation about race, social justice, and the role of athletes in society.
2016: Kaepernick Begins Kneeling During Anthem
During the 49ers' third preseason game in 2016, Kaepernick sat during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality. He then began kneeling during the anthem for the regular season.
2016: Beginning of Protests
Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem at NFL games in 2016 in protest of police brutality and racial injustice in the United States.
March 3, 2017: Opt-Out and Free Agency
Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers and became a free agent on March 3, 2017. The team had planned to release him as new coach Kyle Shanahan did not see him as a fit for his offensive scheme.
May 2017: Seahawks Visit
The Seattle Seahawks brought Kaepernick in for a visit in May 2017 but did not offer him a contract. Head coach Pete Carroll stated that Kaepernick was a starter-caliber quarterback.
August 2017: Statistical Analysis and Blackballing Allegations
By August 2017, statistical analysis by FiveThirtyEight suggested that Kaepernick was being frozen out of the NFL due to his political stance, as no other quarterback with his performance record had been unemployed for as long.
September 2017: President Trump Condemns Anthem Protests
Kaepernick's protest movement intensified in September 2017 after President Donald Trump said NFL owners should fire players who protest during the national anthem.
October 2017: Kaepernick Files Grievance Against NFL
In October 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that league owners colluded to keep him out of the league. The NFL's request to dismiss the case was denied, paving the way for a trial.
November 2017: Kaepernick Files Grievance
In November 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners, accusing them of collusion in keeping him out of the league.
2017: Carroll Regrets Not Signing Kaepernick
In June 2020, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll revealed that he regretted not signing Kaepernick to the team in 2017.
April 2018: Postponed Seahawks Workout
The Seahawks set up another visit and workout with Kaepernick in April 2018, but the team postponed it indefinitely after he refused to say whether he would continue his national anthem protest.
August 2018: NFL's Request to Dismiss Grievance Denied
Arbitrator Stephen B. Burbank rejected the NFL's request to dismiss Kaepernick's collusion grievance in August 2018.
2018: Kaepernick Pledges $1 Million to Charity
In response to the backlash and support surrounding his protests, Colin Kaepernick made a significant pledge in 2016, vowing to donate $1 million to organizations dedicated to supporting oppressed communities. In 2018, Kaepernick announced his intention to complete his "Million Dollar Pledge" by making $10,000 donations to various charities, with each donation matched by a celebrity.
2018: Nike Features Kaepernick in Ad Campaign
In a move that sparked both applause and outrage, Nike featured Colin Kaepernick in its 2018 ad campaign. The campaign, which included the tagline "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything," reignited the national debate surrounding Kaepernick's protests, with some praising Nike's stance and others calling for boycotts of the company. The NFL's response, stating that Kaepernick's social justice efforts "deserve our attention and action," added another layer of complexity to the situation.
February 2019: Kaepernick Explores Alternative Football Leagues
In February 2019, reports surfaced that Colin Kaepernick had engaged in discussions with the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and the XFL about potentially playing quarterback for them. However, Kaepernick's demand for a $20 million guaranteed salary, significantly higher than the typical quarterback salaries in these leagues, presented a hurdle in negotiations.
February 2019: Kaepernick Withdraws Grievance
Kaepernick withdrew his grievance against the NFL in February 2019 after reaching a confidential settlement.
February 15, 2019: Kaepernick Reaches Settlement with NFL
On February 15, 2019, Colin Kaepernick reached a confidential settlement with the NFL and withdrew his grievance against the league. Kaepernick had accused NFL owners of colluding to keep him out of the league.
July 2019: Nike Pulls Betsy Ross Flag Shoe After Kaepernick's Concerns
In July 2019, Nike found itself at the center of another controversy when it pulled a shoe featuring the Betsy Ross flag from its shelves. The decision came after Colin Kaepernick reportedly expressed his concerns to the company, stating that the flag held offensive connotations for him and others due to its association with slavery and a period of American history when slavery was legal. This move drew criticism from some, including Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and Senator Ted Cruz, while others defended Nike's decision as a necessary step to address concerns about racial sensitivity.
November 12, 2019: NFL Sets Up Workout for Kaepernick
On November 12, 2019, the NFL organized a workout for Colin Kaepernick in Atlanta, scheduled for November 16. This unusual move, as the NFL rarely holds workouts for all its teams, aimed to provide Kaepernick with an opportunity to showcase his skills.
November 2019: Kaepernick Seeks NFL Return
Before November 2019, Colin Kaepernick had not participated in an NFL tryout since becoming a free agent. However, he continued his training regimen, working out five days a week, and expressed his desire to return to the NFL both publicly and privately.
November 22, 2019: Ta-Nehisi Coates' Perspective on Kaepernick
In a New York Times opinion piece published on November 22, 2019, author Ta-Nehisi Coates argued that Colin Kaepernick's battle extended beyond securing a job in the NFL. Coates posited that Kaepernick was fighting against being silenced and erased.
February 2020: Kaepernick Establishes Kaepernick Publishing
Kaepernick launched his own publishing company, Kaepernick Publishing, in February 2020.
April 2020: Know Your Rights Camp Launches COVID-19 Relief Fund
In April 2020, the Know Your Rights Camp, co-founded by Colin Kaepernick and his partner Nessa, established a relief fund to provide assistance to individuals and communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kaepernick personally contributed $100,000 to the fund, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to social justice and community support.
June 2020: Pete Carroll Expresses Regret Over Not Signing Kaepernick
In June 2020, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll admitted to regretting his decision not to sign Colin Kaepernick in 2017. While Carroll expressed his satisfaction with Geno Smith as the team's backup quarterback for the 2020 season, he revealed that another team had reached out to him for insights on Kaepernick, marking the first time a team had contacted him about Kaepernick since 2017.
June 2020: The New York Times on Kaepernick and Race in the NFL
In June 2020, amidst the George Floyd protests, The New York Times published an article that discussed the NFL's handling of race-related issues. The article highlighted the fact that while a majority of NFL players are African-American, almost all team owners are white. The article also mentioned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's apology for not adequately addressing the concerns of African-American players and how some perceived his statement as hypocritical given the league owners' rejection of Kaepernick.
October 2020: Kaepernick Publishing Launches "Abolition For The People"
In October 2020, Kaepernick Publishing, in collaboration with Medium, launched "Abolition For The People." This project features a collection of 30 essays penned by various activists who advocate for the abolition of police and prisons. These essays critique prison reform, arguing that it merely serves to repackage systemic racism.
2020: Renewed Attention to Kaepernick's Protests
Kaepernick's protests received renewed attention in 2020 amidst the George Floyd protests against police brutality and racism, but he remained unsigned.
October 29, 2021: Netflix Premieres "Colin in Black & White"
On October 29, 2021, Netflix premiered "Colin in Black & White," a six-episode limited series that delves into Kaepernick's teenage years. The series was co-created by Kaepernick and filmmaker Ava DuVernay.
April 2022: Kaepernick Publishes Children's Book "I Color Myself Different"
In April 2022, Kaepernick, through his publishing company and in partnership with Scholastic, released a children's book titled "I Color Myself Different".
May 2022: Kaepernick Works Out for Las Vegas Raiders
Colin Kaepernick participated in a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2022. This marked a significant development in Kaepernick's pursuit of a return to the NFL, offering him a chance to showcase his skills to a team after years away from the league.
August 2022: Kaepernick and Diab Welcome Their First Child
In August 2022, Kaepernick and Nessa Diab celebrated a new addition to their family with the birth of their first child.