In brief
Colin Kaepernick, now 38, sits down for BBC Sport to examine the decade since his historic anthem protest. He acknowledges the career‑shattering backlash he faced, from missed opportunities to a settled grievance with NFL owners. Yet he carries no regrets, citing a deep commitment to addressing racial injustice and a broader role for sport in society. Kaepernick praises the ripple effect, noting England’s football teams and other athletes who have since embraced the gesture. He stresses that politics are inseparable from sport, urging a renewed, louder call for social change.
A decade of silence? No – a decade of reflection
In the autumn of 2016, a cornerback from San Francisco knelt during the US national anthem, sparking a worldwide debate on the intersection of sport and protest. Ten years later, former quarterback Colin Kaepernick declares he would take that knee again – a declaration that underlines his unshaken belief in fighting racial injustice.
Kaepernick explains that he knew the move could end his career. The reality unfolded swiftly – he opted out of his 49ers contract, never found another team, and eventually settled a grievance with NFL team owners in 2019. Despite the silence from the league’s upper echelons, he stands firm: each act of protest carries a price, but it is a price worth paying for the cause.
He gives more weight to the symbolic than the political. “Politics are inherently part of sports,” he emphasizes, recalling how NFL stadiums are taxpayer‑built, owners invest in candidates, and high‑profile athletes rally behind movements. He cites the global reach of the kneeling gesture – from the NFL to England’s football stars – as proof that the protest’s message travels beyond borders.
Kaepernick is also a publisher, a philanthropist and an educator, continuing his activism through books and a rights‑education campaign. He insists that the fight is far from finished, stressing a need for systemic change and a society that works for everyone. In reflecting on his own journey, he encourages others to learn from his experience and keep pushing toward equity.
Kaepernick’s iconic kneel in 2016 remains a defining moment in modern sports history.
