Colin Kaepernick: A Decade After Taking a Knee, He Still Shuns the NFL

POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — Colin Kaepernick continues to distance himself from the NFL, a decade after his iconic protest. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback revealed in an interview with NBC News that he now prefers watching college football over the professional league.

Kaepernick, who led the 49ers to a Super Bowl following the 2012 season, has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season finale. His absence from the league began shortly after he started kneeling during the national anthem to draw attention to social injustices.

I will not support an organization that is actively blackballing me and has targeted my fellow protesters, Kaepernick stated. He and his former teammate Eric Reid, who also knelt in protest, sued the NFL for collusion. The lawsuit was settled in early 2019.

Despite his hiatus from professional football, Kaepernick has remained active. He runs ‘Know Your Rights’ camps aimed at educating young people and his foundation assists in funding independent autopsies, including one for Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells.

When asked about his legacy, Kaepernick emphasized his focus on impactful work rather than personal recognition. I concentrate on areas where I can make a difference and help us progress towards a better future. Ultimately, people will determine my legacy, and I hope it will be a positive one.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)