What Happened to Colin Rand Kaepernick?

Colin Kaepernick's journey from NFL star to a global symbol of athlete activism is a complex narrative spanning over a decade. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, Kaepernick quickly rose to prominence, leading the team to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 and establishing himself as a dynamic quarterback. His career took a pivotal turn in the 2016 NFL preseason when he began a silent protest against racial injustice and police brutality. Initially, he sat during the national anthem, first on August 14, 2016, and notably on August 26, 2016, against the Green Bay Packers. After consulting with former NFL player and Green Beret Nate Boyer, he transitioned to kneeling, a gesture he adopted on September 1, 2016, alongside teammate Eric Reid.

This act ignited a national debate, drawing both fervent support and widespread criticism, including from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. Following the 2016 season, Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers and subsequently went unsigned by any NFL team. In October 2017, he filed a grievance against the NFL, accusing team owners of colluding to keep him out of the league. The lawsuit was confidentially settled in February 2019, with reports speculating the settlement was less than $10 million, though some initial estimates were much higher.

Despite his absence from the NFL, Kaepernick's influence grew. In September 2018, Nike featured him as the face of its 'Just Do It' 30th-anniversary campaign, a move that generated both controversy and a reported spike in Nike's e-commerce sales. He founded Kaepernick Publishing in 2019, aiming to amplify diverse voices. This led to a multi-project deal with Audible in February 2020, including the announcement of his memoir. Further expanding his media presence, Kaepernick signed a multi-year partnership with Netflix in March 2018, which resulted in the 2021 dramatic series 'Colin in Black & White,' focusing on his high school years. In July 2020, he also secured a first-look deal with Disney for scripted and unscripted content exploring race and social injustice.

Kaepernick's activism is primarily channeled through his Know Your Rights Camp (KYRC), co-founded with his wife, Nessa. The organization provides free educational seminars for Black and Brown youth, focusing on self-empowerment and interactions with law enforcement. In July 2021, Kaepernick Publishing announced a multi-book deal with Scholastic, with the first picture book, 'I Color Myself Different,' released in April 2022. In November 2019, an NFL-arranged workout for Kaepernick became contentious, with Kaepernick ultimately moving the workout to a different location due to concerns over transparency and liability waivers.

CURRENT STATUS as of 2026-09-01: Colin Kaepernick continues to be a prominent voice in social justice. On April 8, 2026, he announced the upcoming release of his memoir, 'The Perilous Fight,' scheduled for September 15, 2026, which will detail his life and protest. In August 2026, his Know Your Rights Camp renewed its 'Million Dollar Pledge,' committing another $1 million to community organizations throughout 2027, marking the tenth anniversary of his initial protest. Furthermore, Kaepernick was named the 2026 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year, an award he is set to receive on November 7, 2026, for his unwavering commitment to empowering underserved communities. He has also publicly stated in September 2026 that he boycotts watching NFL games, believing the league continues to blackball him and other protesting players, choosing instead to watch college football. The NFL, for its part, confirmed in August 2026 that it would continue its anti-racism and social justice messages on fields and player helmets for the 2026 season, a direct legacy of the movement Kaepernick initiated.