Colin Kaepernick: Why I Would Protest Again Despite It Costing My Career

Colin Kaepernick Reflects on His Landmark Anthem Protest a Decade Later

Ten years after initiating a gesture that reshaped modern sports activism and ultimately exiled him from professional football, Colin Kaepernick insists he has no regrets. In his first interview with BBC Sport, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback reflected on his path, his pride in seeing international athletes such as England footballers adopt the gesture, and the personal cost of becoming a civil rights figurehead. Discussing the decision that derailed his playing career, Kaepernick affirmed: I knew the protest could potentially cost me my career…I would absolutely do it again.

Kaepernick originally brought national attention to the issue in September 2016 by sitting, and later kneeling, during the performance of the US national anthem prior to NFL fixtures. The peaceful demonstration against systemic racial injustice and police brutality sparked fierce debates nationwide. The quarterback explained that he was fully conscious of the historical risks tied to such high-profile activism. History shows us…that is a reality for athletes, he stated. We also see this in broader movements, going well beyond costing someone their career, and costing people their lives. We see Malcolm X assassinated, we see MLK [Martin Luther King] assassinated, so the consequences are real.

The Evolution and Fallout of the 2016 Protests

Kaepernick’s demonstrations started in pre-season matches and continued across 11 regular-season contests during the 2016 NFL campaign. He voiced his motivations clearly at the time, explaining he could not stand up for – and show pride in – a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour, and noting: This is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. While his actions inspired fellow athletes across multiple leagues to take a stand, they simultaneously triggered severe public and political backlash from critics who argued the gesture disrespected the US military.

Prominent figures openly targeted the protest, including Donald Trump, who was then running as a presidential candidate. Trump labeled the demonstration a terrible thing and unpatriotic, arguing that Kaepernick should seek another country to live in and stating that athletes who declined to stand for the national anthem should be fired. Amid intensifying scrutiny, the NFL introduced policies threatening to fine franchises whose team members refused to stand for the anthem.

Contract Opt-Out, Collusion Settlement, and Failed Comeback

In March 2017, Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers, though team leadership subsequently acknowledged he would have been released regardless. Despite boasting an elite resume—having led the 49ers to the 2013 Super Bowl and throwing 16 touchdowns in his final active season—Kaepernick never secured another NFL contract. Speaking from New York, he reflected on the polarized environment: What I couldn’t have predicted was the people who would show up for me in significant ways, and also the people who worked against me and against the movement.

Believing that NFL owners had actively colluded to deny him employment due to his activism, Kaepernick lodged a formal grievance against the league, resulting in a confidential financial settlement in 2019. Later that year, the league scheduled a private workout for him; however, Kaepernick declined to attend the closed session, opting instead to host an open, independent workout nearby so the media could document it. Despite the public showcase, no professional football comeback materialized.

Why This Matters

Colin Kaepernick’s silent protest became a watershed moment for modern athlete activism, directly shaping how professional sports leagues navigate political discourse, free expression, and racial equity. The gesture traveled beyond American football, directly influencing international soccer teams, including England’s national squad, to adopt the knee as an ongoing symbol against discrimination. Although the NFL later publicly conceded that it was wrong for not listening to players earlier and subsequently encouraged all to speak out and peacefully protest, Kaepernick’s continued absence from the field remains one of the starkest examples of the professional consequences faced by elite athletes who challenge institutional norms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Colin Kaepernick first kneel during the national anthem?

Colin Kaepernick knelt during the US national anthem in 2016 as a peaceful protest to raise awareness about systemic racial injustice, police brutality, and the ongoing oppression of Black people and people of color in the United States.

Did Colin Kaepernick ever resolve his dispute with the NFL?

Yes. Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance accusing NFL team owners of colluding to keep him out of the league because of his demonstrations. The two sides resolved the legal dispute through a confidential financial settlement reached in 2019.

What was the NFL’s eventual response to the anthem protests?

While the league initially warned it would fine teams whose players did not stand, it later altered its stance. The NFL admitted it was wrong for not listening to players earlier and shifted its position to encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.