--- title: Colin Kaepernick on His New Memoir and Historic Protest description: Colin Kaepernick discusses kneeling during the national anthem, his attempts to make an NFL comeback, and that Jay-Z lyric at Yankee Stadium. canonical: https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/colin-kaepernick-memoir-interview/ author: Sean Gregory article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2026-09-17T19:45:36.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-09-23T15:14:38.651Z article:section: Sports og:title: Colin Kaepernick on Threats He Faced, His NFL Exile, and That Jay-Z Lyric og:description: Ten years after he made history, the former NFL quarterback tells his story in a new memoir. og:url: https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/colin-kaepernick-memoir-interview/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4bfea85f1a220b71/6aaaf70abf6e6402c8d19e25/kaepernick-colin-2026-04.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9%2Coffset-x100.00%2Coffset-y0.00 og:image:width: 2400 og:image:height: 1350 og:image:alt: kaepernick-colin-2026-04.jpg og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Colin Kaepernick on Threats He Faced, His NFL Exile, and That Jay-Z Lyric twitter:description: Ten years after he made history, the former NFL quarterback tells his story in a new memoir. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4bfea85f1a220b71/6aaaf70abf6e6402c8d19e25/kaepernick-colin-2026-04.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9%2Coffset-x100.00%2Coffset-y0.00 ---  # Colin Kaepernick on Threats He Faced, His NFL Exile, and That Jay-Z Lyric > Sponsored content. 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Terms and conditions apply. * Savings buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Savings Account. * No ATM fees from Ally Bank at Allpoint and Moneypass ATMs plus we reimburse for fees charged by other ATM owners nationwide up to $10 per statement cycle. * Early direct deposit offers eligible direct deposits up to two days sooner. * Spending buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Spending Account. ## Video: Colin Kaepernick Talks the NFL, Activism and His Legacy [Watch (HLS stream): Colin Kaepernick Talks the NFL, Activism and His Legacy](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ZWddMcWA.m3u8) (1:12:11)  _Published 2026-09-23. Following a string of high-profile police shootings of Black men 10 years ago, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began protesting such incidents by sitting during the national anthem at preseason games. What began as a quiet action turned into a fevered national debate about freedom of expression, patriotism, and so much more. In Kaepernick’s new memoir, The Perilous Fight, the quarterback explains that his action was spontaneous. He wasn’t even in uniform on August 13, 2016, the first time he sat during the anthem. Kaepernick writes. “I didn’t want to stand up while that song was playing. Rosa Parks had refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white person in 1955. Muhammad Ali wouldn’t step forward when his name was called by the draft board for the Vietnam War in Louisville in 1967. Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists in the air during the playing of the anthem at the 1968 Olympics. They didn’t like what they saw, the way this nation touted its commitment to justice and at the same time showed little interest in it, and they took action._  by [Sean Gregory](https://time.com/author/sean-gregory/)  ## Sean Gregory Senior Correspondent Sep 17, 2026 7:45 PM UTC  by [Sean Gregory](https://time.com/author/sean-gregory/)  ## Sean Gregory Senior Correspondent Sep 17, 2026 7:45 PM UTC Following a string of high-profile police shootings of Black men 10 years ago, San Francisco 49ers quarterback [Colin Kaepernick](https://time.com/collections/time-person-of-the-year-2017/7375266/colin-kaepernick-time-person-of-the-year-2017-runner-up/) began protesting such incidents by [sitting during the national anthem](https://time.com/4469350/colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-protest/) at preseason games. What began as a quiet action turned into a fevered national debate about freedom of expression, [patriotism](https://time.com/4504023/athletes-america-patriotism/), and so much more. In Kaepernick’s new memoir, _The Perilous Fight_, the quarterback explains that his action was spontaneous. He wasn’t even in uniform on August 13, 2016, the first time he sat during the anthem. “I hadn’t given the anthem a second’s thought before I walked out onto the field that day, but it hit me in that moment that I should find a seat,” Kaepernick writes. “I didn’t want to stand up while that song was playing. [Rosa Parks](https://time.com/5933396/rosa-parks-voting-rights/) had refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white person in 1955\. [Muhammad Ali ](https://time.com/3646214/muhammad-ali-dead-obituary/)wouldn’t step forward when his name was called by the draft board for the Vietnam War in Louisville in 1967\. [Tommie Smith and John Carlos ](https://time.com/3880999/black-power-salute-tommie-smith-and-john-carlos-at-the-1968-olympics/)raised black-gloved fists in the air during the playing of the anthem at the 1968 Olympics. They didn’t like what they saw, the way this nation touted its commitment to justice and at the same time showed little interest in it, and they took action. Those inspiring Americans had the courage of their convictions and literally changed the world in the process.” Kaepernick, despite leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013 and throwing 16 touchdown passes, against just four interceptions, for a bad 49ers team in 2016, hasn’t played in the NFL since that season. In 2019, he and former teammate [Eric Reid](https://time.com/5845381/eric-reid-george-floyd-nfl-kneeling/), who joined Kaepernick in kneeling during the anthem, settled a collusion lawsuit against the NFL. In late August, a decade after he etched his name in history, Kaepernick sat down with TIME to talk about why he hasn’t spoken up much about [his protests](https://time.com/4470444/colin-kaepernick-49ers-national-anthem-protest/), his relationship with the anthem today, his differences with Jay-Z, and the state of policing in the United States. _(This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity)_ **You’ve released a book,** **_The Perilous Fight_**_._ **Why tell your story now?** One, it's 10 years since the protest. I've gotten so many questions about why did I protest, what happened, what led up to it, the details behind the scenes of all of the moments. Not just the protest, but owners in the NFL, the conversations that were happening there, the [workout in 2019](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/%5F/id/28095462/colin-kaepernick-throws-passes-40-minutes-workout-urges-nfl-stop-running) and all the things that transpired around that. Then also just the work that we're doing [directly in the communities.](https://www.knowyourrightscamp.org/milliondollar) It felt like it was a great time to be able to go out, answer some of those questions, and also be able to give insight into how we build, how we move forward together. I think it’s especially critical in a moment like this. **The book starts with a harrowing incident of racial hostility involving the** **_N_** **word that you experienced as a child—one you weren’t comfortable sharing with your parents, who adopted you and are white. Why start there?** One of the reasons we wanted to start with that moment of going through the neighborhood, being tied to a rose tree, and the dynamic of not feeling comfortable telling my parents is it really sets the stage for the rest of the book, and sets the stage for the rest of my life. I had to navigate the realities that you face when you are Black in predominantly white spaces. I had so many questions around, “You lived a privileged life. Everything was all good. Middle-class white family. What are you upset about?” And from the outside looking in, I understand how it can look that way. But also the reality of the experience, and what I went through, is also something that's important to put in context. **You didn't really do any interviews during the heat of 2016 and 2017, and in the aftermath. What was your thinking on not doing these types of interviews then?** Yeah, it's interesting because I get both sides of that question. During the 2016 season, it was like, "Why are you talking so much? Be quiet.” As an NFL quarterback, you're required to speak three times a week. So reporters can ask you whatever they would like. I'm happy to answer any questions as part of that. But post that moment, one thing I realized was, it felt like there was a very, very intentional effort to make me the sole figure, or the sole voice, of the movement. I thought it was important to create space for other voices to be able to step up. And one of the reasons that I thought that approach was so important is looking back historically, yes, we need strong leaders, but we need strong people collectively. That's actually what allows us to be able to sustain over time. Also, as part of that, I thought it was very important as they were very intentional attacks to try to discredit me, discredit what I was capable of on the field, discredit my character. In those efforts of trying to discredit me, they were also trying to discredit the broader movement.  Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem flanked by Eli Harold, left, and Eric Reid, right, before an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif. on Oct. 2, 2016. Marcio Jose Sanchez—AP **If there's one athlete who has stepped up in the way that you wanted, who would that be?** I think there are voices across the board that have stepped up. I would say my brother Eric Reid. I'm always going to bring him up. Love Eric. He continued the protest after I was blackballed. He himself went through the same reality. His final season, \[he\] went out, [set two franchise records,](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article/setting-two-franchise-records-last-season-eric-reid-remains-unsigned/,) was cut, and never saw the field again. We had voices throughout the NBA step up. Whether that was [LeBron](https://time.com/collection/time100-sports/2026/lebron-james/), we saw [Steph Curry](https://time.com/collection/time100-sports/2026/stephen-curry/), we saw [Carmelo](https://time.com/collections/george-floyd-america-reflection/7279989/maya-moore-carmelo-anthony-sports-racial-justice/), we saw [KD](https://time.com/4810718/kevin-durant-golden-state-warriors-nba-finals/), all stepping to the forefront. We saw this with[ Megan Rapinoe, ](https://time.com/collections/women-of-the-year/6259147/megan-rapinoe-equal-pay-world-cup/)doing that on [an international stage](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/aug/17/megan-rapinoe-everything-trump-loves-except-we-are-powerful-women). We’re seeing it to this day throughout Europe. I would not have had the insight that this would have had the lasting impact internationally the way it does, and that's just within the sports realm. More broadly, what I think it’s done is created opportunities, whether it is on a national stage, international stage, or within local communities. People saying, "Oh, this actually opened the door for me to be able to do the work in a way I previously wasn't able to.” **In 2016, when you first started sitting, and then kneeling, during the national anthem, you’re in this national spotlight and firestorm. Was there one surreal moment you experienced that we didn’t see during this time?** One surreal moment early on, we had a high school, Castlemont in Oakland. After I took a knee, they went out the next week and took a knee, and I went to go visit them the following week at their game. I had a moment where I was in the locker room with them before the game. They're hyping each other up. It's going to be a big game for them. And one of the players says, "We don't get to eat at home. So we're going to go eat on this field.” That is too often a reality within communities. Not only navigating threats against their life, but navigating whether or not they're even going to have a meal. For me, that was such a surreal moment that athletes in high school and students in high school are going out, trying to chase their dreams and compete at the highest level. They are willing to stand up and risk themselves to go out and advocate for their community, while at the same time not knowing whether or not they're going to have a meal when they get home. That really encapsulated and painted a surreal picture of how dire this is. While the broader national conversation was happening, this is just the reality on the ground. **Were you physically or psychologically threatened while protesting?** Threats became so normalized that I didn't really think about them too much. You get attacked from the President of the United States. You're getting attacked from senators. You have people trying to send bombs to your home. Online threats and mail threats. My now wife[ Nessa,](https://www.hot97.com/talent/nessa/) as I was getting these threats, was like, “You can't be staying at your house alone.” She was in New York at the time. But that ultimately led to me staying at \[manager Tony Ng’s\] house for the rest of that 2016 season, just so people didn't know where I was at. **Were you ever scared?** No. I also think you get a little bit of the football mentality. If someone is going to try to do something, they’re either going to try to do it or aren't. My responsibility is to be prepared for whatever that is. **Did you ever worry that what happened to you served as a warning to other athletes? That as a result of you not playing in the NFL anymore, they were quiet rather than speaking up?** Absolutely. I know the intention was to send that message: If you try to advocate for the Black community, if you try to fight against the status quo and create a different and better environment, we will take everything we can from you. And this actually showed up in one of our [Know Your Rights](https://www.knowyourrightscamp.org/) camps in Las Vegas. One of our young high school students pulled me aside in the middle of the camp. “Hey, I really love football. I also really want to fight for my community and for that to be better. Which one do you think I should choose?” The fact that they have made that a conversation, that people feel like they have to choose, that is the very thing that I have to continue to fight against. I don't think there is an either-or. We can be phenomenal at our profession. We also can advocate for our community and a better society, better conditions for our people. **In the last nine years of NFL exile, did deciding to stand for the anthem in order to get signed ever cross your mind?** No. **Why not?** Because I set out with a clear goal and clear objective, and the conditions in our society have not changed. There's been progress made in some areas, but holistically, when we look at the climate and environment that we are living in today, those conditions largely have not changed. There is never going to be a moment where I take a position of, “Hey, I'll stand up so I can get my career back.” Because that then becomes a moral concession: If you threaten my career, or if you threaten my money, I will actually say I don't care about the people, and I will look at this just from an individual perspective. That was a line I was not going to cross. **In the book, you detail conversations you had with a few teams around the league. Which team did you feel closest to signing with?** There were three teams that I thought were close. The first was the Seattle Seahawks. In 2017, flew up there, met with Pete Carroll, John Schneider, the head coach and GM of the Seahawks. When I got there, basically the conversation was, “We know you're a starting quarterback.” I didn't do a workout while I was there. They're like, “We know you can play. We've game-planned for you the last few years. That's not a question for us.” The entire conversation while I was there was just around my politics, [taking the knee, ](https://time.com/4504787/colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-protest-photos/)how I thought about policing, how I thought about the military, what their community would think, what potential players would think. In retrospect, it was fascinating to me on a few different fronts. One, the NFL claims it’s a meritocracy. So walking in a building and telling me you know I'm a starter, and not walking out with an offer makes that fall flat on its face. The second part is I just think about it from a labor-laws perspective. Being the owner of a business, a company, I would never be able to ask those questions and get away with it. They didn't sign me that year. Reached back out the following year to have me come in for a workout. Had booked the flight, was ready to go out there, and prior to getting on the flight, they called my agent. Said, "Well, before he comes out to work out, will he commit to not taking a knee?” I said no. I won't commit to that. Canceled the flight. Canceled the workout. Never heard from them again.\[_A spokesperson for the Seahawks did not respond to TIME’s request for comment._\] The second one was the Ravens, and this one came about because we played against the Ravens in the Super Bowl. Jim Harbaugh was my coach [during that time](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1497936-kaepernick-over-smith-the-defining-moment-in-49er-jim-harbaughs-super-bowl-run). His brother John Harbaugh was head coach of the Ravens, and I reached out to Jim and wanted to get his perspective. “Is there anyone that you know that would be interested? Do you think your brother would be open to a call?” John was on board and was like, "Yeah, let's do it.” John went back, advocated for it, wanted to sign me. “It got shut down from above me. I don't have the power to just outright make that decision. But if it was my choice, you would be here.” \[_A Ravens representative referred TIME to a 2017 quote from Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome—now an executive vice president with the team—who said, “(Ravens owner)_ _Steve Bisciotti has not told us we cannot sign Colin Kaepernick, nor has he blocked the move. Whoever is making those claims is wrong.”_\] Then the third one was the Raiders in 2022\. Had run into \[Raiders owner\] Mark Davis at an airport. This was actually the first time I had been face-to-face with one of the owners blackballing me. It was a very interesting conversation because it was almost disconnected from the reality of what was going on. Saw me and was like, "Hey, what's up? How are you doing? What you been up to?” I was like, "What? What are you talking about? I've been trying to play, and you've been keeping me out.” That led to a follow-up conversation about me trying to play. He came and sat in my living room, and we talked about playing for the Raiders. That led to a workout with the Raiders and Josh McDaniels. Workout went great. Josh McDaniels, after the fact, was like, “He looked bigger, stronger, faster than last time saw you.” Mark Davis came in the room after. “So proud of you. That was great workout.” One of the scouts on the way back said, “I'm surprised they let you walk out of the building without signing you. That’s the best workout we've had in years from a quarterback.” Never heard from him again. \[_The Raiders declined to comment._\] **When Jim, who coached Michigan to the 2023 national title, got the job with the Los Angeles Chargers in ‘24, did you reach out to him? Was there any conversation there?** Yeah. **What happened?** He told me that was a table he was not willing to stand on. It was disappointing because prior to that he had been advocating for me. Said I should be a starter. I can help a team win championships. Had a conversation with him and said, "Look, I don't even care what the role is. Like I know Justin Herbert's there. I know the reality of what you have to navigate as a head coach. Let me take the No. 2 spot then. Let me come in, just show you, show everyone else what I can do.” Wouldn't do it. No opportunity, no workout. **Has that affected your relationship with him?** Yeah. And I'll say, also in part because there was a conversation that was put out that he had offered me a [coaching job,](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/bell/2024/08/14/colin-kaepernick-jim-harbaugh-chargers/74786966007/) which just wasn't true. I don't know where and why that came out. That's made the relationship a little bit different since. \[_When asked to respond to Kaepernick’s comments to TIME about joining the Chargers as a player or coach, Harbaugh, through a Chargers spokesperson,_ [_pointed to a 2024 press conference_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57N8bKlTfY0)_, in which he said he “pulsed” Kaepernick’s interest in coaching._\] **Why are you confident that you are ready to be an NFL quarterback right** **now?** Because I train for it. I rely on my training and preparation for any moment. I've grown confident in my ability to continue to stay ready because I've shown that the training works, and I've shown that I've been able to go out and perform. **What’s your relationship with the national anthem today? When you go to sporting events, what do you do?** I don't go out for the _Star-Spangled Banner_. I’m either seated where I'm at, or I'm not out there at all, and then show up when it's time for the actual game to come on.  **Your daughter is 4\. When this time is right, what will you say to her about the national anthem?** This is actually a funny and timely question. We just went through the process of moving. We're putting some of the artwork up and pictures up. We have the[ TIME cover](https://time.com/magazine/us/4503993/october-3rd-2016-vol-188-no-13-u-s/) framed. I don't like having any of my stuff in rooms that I'm in. Feels weird to me. But my wife wants to have stuff up. And my daughter found it, and she grabbed it and was like, "Oh, this is going to my room.” But she was like, “Baba, why are you taking a knee like this?” She's showing me how I'm taking a knee. Not a conversation I was expecting to be having at 3 ½ years old. **What did you say to her about it?** “Well, Baba was protesting to try to create a better life for everyone. Thought all people should be able to be successful and have good lives and be treated fairly.” **What are you going to tell her when she asks about why you stopped playing in the NFL?** It's going to be an honest conversation, in part because I also know I have to prepare her for the reality that she's going to walk into rooms and they're going to see her last name is Kaepernick. She's going to get asked questions and she's going to have to have to navigate things that she never asked for. Part of my responsibility as a father is making sure that she's prepared and equipped for that. **Going back to your early life a bit – you credit your parents with raising you and having your back. But there were many moments where they weren't as sensitive to your racial experience and awakenings as you would have liked. You make that very clear in the book and don't spare your feelings about it. Have your mom and dad read the book?** They have not read it yet. **How do you anticipate they'll react to it?** There's moments that they just don't know about. It is also something that, for me, in thinking about a white couple born and raised in Wisconsin, adopting a young Black boy, it is very difficult for them to understand the reality of what that's going to be for me growing up. As far as raising me on strong fundamentals and morals, teaching me to work hard, teaching me to treat people well regardless of what their position or status may be in life, all of those things they did extremely well. But when it comes to understanding being Black, being a Black man, what that means, navigating society, that part largely didn't exist. That's where a lot of the conflicts come in around culture, around perception, around who I actually was. I knew they always loved me as their son. I don't know if they always loved my Blackness. And I think that's an interesting nuance to be able to navigate. **How would you characterize your relationship with them now?** I think we're in a good place. My daughter loves calling them during dinner. That is part of her routine now. They come out, they visit. But there is still some of the complexities there. **At several points in the book, you talk about the business of the NFL in the same breath as slavery. Of being photographed in compression shorts at the draft combine, you write, “My mind immediately went to the scenes I had witnessed in numerous movies depicting slave auction blocks.” You also write, “I fully believe what happened to me was a form of buck breaking. That's a slave term to describe how masters used to whip and sexually abuse enslaved men in front of a crowd to dehumanize them and warn other slaves that they better not step out of line. I was made into a warning to other NFL players and professional athletes: You better not challenge the league's authority.” Were you ever worried that people might be offended by that?** No. I know people would take things in the context that they want to. But the parallels between the two are undeniable. Bill Rhoden wrote a whole book around it, [_Forty Million Dollar Slaves._ ](https://www.motherjones.com/media/2006/07/forty-million-dollar-slaves/)This came up for Curt Flood when he was fighting for free agency for professional players. "Well, you're making $90,000 a year, Curt Flood. How can you compare this to slavery?” And I believe his quote around that was, ["A well-paid slave is a slave nonetheless,”](https://www.loc.gov/exhibitions/baseball-americana/about-this-exhibition/the-promise-of-baseball/the-business-of-baseball/a-well-paid-slave/) or something to that effect. Which speaks more to the institutions and practices around how you are treating people and the process that they're going through, and the systems that they have to navigate, as opposed to just taking something in isolation. **Two news stories weren't addressed in the book. One is your decision to wear** [**socks depicting police as cartoon pigs in 2016,**](https://time.com/4476725/colin-kaepernick-socks-police-pigs/) **before you took your public stance. That offended law enforcement personnel, and police unions in particular. Why don't you, or why do you, regret that specific decision?** When I wore those socks, we were seeing police killing Black people with impunity across the country. This is something that has systemically been in place. It came out of [slave patrols,](https://time.com/4779112/police-history-origins/) built into modern-day policing. Now, policing in the U.S. exists in a way that we don't see in other areas throughout the world, so to me, that was sending a message around the inhumane practices that police were practicing. **It seemed to have an effect where some people would never forgive you after that. But you knew that was a risk?** The same people who are offended, in a way that, “hey, we're never going to forgive you for that,” why are you so remorseful for police killing Black people? Why are you so accepting of that? A pair of socks is so offensive to you, but the killing of a human life you're OK with. So, if we're really going to have a conversation around it, let's actually put it in contrast to the conversations that we're having. I'm going to choose valuing human life in every instance. **The other story is the shelving of the ESPN documentary about you, directed by** [**Spike Lee**](https://time.com/collections/100-most-influential-people-2019/5567680/spike-lee/)**. About a year ago, ESPN** [**said in a statement that** ](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/espn-will-not-air-spike-lees-docuseries-colin-kaepernick-citing-creative-2025-08-16/)**“ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences.” What were those creative differences?** We had approved for the documentary to go out, and that was not something that fit within their timeline. So the documentary is finished. It's ready to go. We're looking for potential partners to be able to place it. **Why didn't ESPN want it?** It's a great question. I know they have shifting priorities, as we're seeing publicly right now. We also know they were, I believe, at that point in time in the midst of negotiating their deal with the NFL. So I can't say that those things are connected. But I believe they’re all factors. \[An ESPN spokesperson sent TIME a statement: “_Two years ago, the three parties involved in this project came to a mutual decision, based on creative differences, not to move forward. Creative differences are not uncommon when several entities collaborate on a project of this kind. Because multiple parties were involved, we are limited in what we can share publicly. This is not new as the decision not to move forward was agreed upon Monday, July 29th 2024\. We are grateful for the work that went into it.”_\] **In a recent interview, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez seemed to agree with the sentiment that** [**“Woke 1.0 was crazy.”**](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/12/style/woke-1-aoc-dsa.html) **She was referring to the period, after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, where there were calls, for example, to** [**defund the police**](https://time.com/5849495/black-lives-matter-defund-police-departments/)**. You wrote in a** [**2020 essay** ](https://level.medium.com/the-demand-for-abolition-979c759ff6f)**“in order to eradicate anti-Blackness, we must also abolish the police. The abolition of one without the other is impossible.” What is your response to AOC's characterization and other political characterizations that sentiments like you expressed went too far?** I understand the political realities that politicians are navigating. I'm not naive to that. I also think the reality is, if we are trying to create better communities that allow us to thrive, our resources shouldn't be going towards policing. They should be going towards resources that allow the community to thrive. When you invest in communities, they get safer. People do better. Crime rates drop. I would not discredit the work that was done around the country during 2020, because that has laid the foundation for the movement that we're seeing now. We're seeing a different wave of politicians show up: “Am I providing direct benefit to the people that I'm serving?” I think that is the most important priority to be able to keep in mind. **Do you still support abolishing policing?** Yes. I think that's the work that we should be doing. Reallocating those resources to directly benefit communities and give them the resources that they need to be able to thrive. **You write in the book about how, in 2016, you met with your San Francisco 49ers teammates to explain in more detail why you were protesting during the anthem. You write: "I told my teammates how law enforcement in this country has always been an enemy of Black people.” In 2026, do you still feel that law enforcement in this country is an enemy of Black people?** The institution has not changed. It still exists in the same form it did in 2016\. We're still seeing the same issues come out of it. We're still seeing that fuel and funnel into the prison industrial complex. So until those systems are dismantled and those resources are allocated to benefit communities, the institutions are serving the purpose that they were laid out to do.  A Nike ad featuring Kaepernick on display on September 8, 2018 in New York City. Angela Weiss—AFP/Getty Images **How would you characterize how** [**Donald Trump**](https://time.com/4707742/president-trump-colin-kaepernick/) **has treated you?** At least to my knowledge, that was the first time I had seen a President use their position and political power to target an individual citizen. And I think that laid the foundation and set the stage for a lot of what we are seeing now. And in many ways, I feel like that was an initial test to see how far things could go. I obviously do not agree with his political views or approach. I do not believe that the work he is doing is actually to benefit people other than himself. **The NFL has reported** [**giving more than $450 million**](https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/nfl-will-highlight-social-justice-work-through-inspire-change-in-weeks-15-and-16) **to grassroots organizations to benefit communities in need. Do you see that as a sincere response to your protest or a PR play?** I view that as a PR play. There was a player-owners meeting. Bob McNair, who was the owner of the Texans at the time, [said,](https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/04/25/bob-mcnair-colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-protests-meeting-comments) "You need to tell your compadres to stop that other business,” meaning the protests. Bob Kraft was in that meeting and said, "We need to talk about the [elephant in the room](https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/anthem-protests-robert-kraft-president-donald-trump-colin-kaepernick/) and ending the protests.” And Terry Pegula, the owner of the Bills, [just said ](https://billswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bills/2018/10/28/buffalo-bills-terry-pegula-eric-reid-anthem-protests/79569150007/)explicitly, “We need a Black face to be at the forefront of this to help us stop this.” If it was actually to try to create change and benefit Black communities, the NFL's response holistically from the start would have looked drastically different. I would have a job. Eric Reid would have a job. The other players that were targeted throughout that process wouldn't have had to navigate that.  A protester wearing Kaepernick's jersey joins others in taking a knee, led by former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens in support of the former 49ers quarterback on June 11, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. Frederic J. Brown—AFP/Getty Images **NFL commissioner** [**Roger Goodell** ](https://time.com/collection/time100-sports/2026/roger-goodell/)**admitted, in 2020,** [**that the league was wrong**](https://www.nfl.com/news/roger-goodell-nfl-wrong-for-not-listening-to-protesting-players-earlier) **for not listening more closely to the message and meaning behind protests like yours. He** [**encouraged**](https://www.nfl.com/news/roger-goodell-i-encourage-a-team-to-sign-qb-colin-kaepernick) **a team to sign you. Do you forgive him?** No, because he's still taking those actions to this day. That they have not changed their practices. The NFL just went through navigating [race-norming](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-pledges-to-stop-race-norming-review-past-scores-for-potential-race-bias), where they were assessing that the baseline intelligence or cognitive abilities of Black players was lower than white players, so that they could deny them medical benefits after playing in the NFL. It’s important to put it into broader context. This isn't a practice that just exists in relation to me and the protest. \[_The NFL declined to comment._\] **The book details your relationship with Jay-Z, whose company**[**, Roc Nation, partnered with the NFL in 2019**](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jay-z-roc-nation-partner-nfl-871200/) **to consult on Super Bowl halftime entertainment and other performances and initiatives. Jay-Z recently brought you up in a rap lyric at Yankee Stadium, saying,** “**Buddy took a check, I ain’t even mad at him, but along with that check you gotta sign a non-disparagement. I’m the one they can’t control.”** **How would you characterize how Jay-Z has communicated with you, and used you or brought you up?** The fact that seven years after him cutting a deal to undermine the protest, unprompted, \[he\] brings me up, sounds like a guilty conscience to me. I would also say, just to make very clear, the distinction here. One, I did not sign a non-disparagement. But the second part of this is these are very different situations. He's trying to create a false equivalency around being blackballed by the NFL and having to go through the grievance process, the legal process that's already laid out by the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the players’ union–going through that process, and then [reaching a settlement ](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/sports/nfl-colin-kaepernick.html)at the end of it, because that is your path towards reconciliation, is very different than cutting a deal with the NFL to create personal benefit and undermine the protests. Trying to conflate the two is very disingenuous. \[_A representative for Roc Nation and Jay-Z did not respond to TIME’s request for comment._\] **Are you surprised that DEI is under fire?** I'm not surprised it's being attacked by this Administration. What I am surprised by is the capitulation by corporations, by organizations to go along with it. What I've seen is when you show weakness, that you'll bow down to them, that you'll capitulate to them, they're going to try to take that further and further. **Did you make any mistakes over the past 10 years?** One that I think about a good amount is, I had intentionally taken an approach of I'm going to do my best to not call out or attack people who I disagree with. I did not want to create an environment or narrative that was centered around Black people fighting and distracting from the intention of the protest. Even with Jay-Z, I didn't go out and do interviews around that. I believe people will see the work, and my hope is in seeing the work, people will look at and say, "Oh, that's how it should be done.” But I don't know if that created additional space for people to take the narrative in places that shouldn't have gone. It's one of those things that I'm very mindful of as I move forward. ## Transcript You may have an opinion of my style of play. Trajectory of the organization where we're at all that. But like, let's at least have an honest conversation around. I could walk out on the field and play on these teams. I'm used to being in a position where I have to go out and just perform and, uh, the ball don't lie. Colin, thanks for coming and congratulations. First of all, on writing such a strong and compelling book. I read it in one day and I, I bet many others will do so too, and learn a lot. So congratulations on that. First of all, and I guess the first question is, yeah, why are you sharing your story now? Well, first, it's great to see you and great to be able to spend some time together again. Um why now? One it's ten years since the protest. Also this has been a multi-year project the process, and over the course of the last ten years, I've gotten so many questions about why did I protest? What happened? What led up to it, the details behind the scenes of all of the moments from not just the protests, but, um, how owners in the NFL, um, in the conversations that were happening there, the, the workout in 2019 and all the things that transpired around that. And then also just the work that we're doing directly in the communities and having so many areas that people have been asking questions. It felt like it was a great time to be able to go out, answer some of those questions, and also be able to give insight into why, how we build, how we move forward together. Um, I think especially critical in a moment like this for sure. And the book starts out on a harrowing experience for you. Some racial hostility that involved the N word, something that you write about you weren't comfortable sharing with your parents, even. Um, why start the book at that moment? One of the reasons we wanted to start with that moment, um, of going through the neighborhood, um, being tied to a rose tree and, uh, the dynamic of not feeling comfortable telling my parents, uh, is it really sets the stage for the rest of the book. Um, and set the stage for the rest of my life. A lot of it was what I had to navigate. Um, the realities that you face when you, you are black and predominantly white spaces, whether that's your family, whether that's your community. And also, I had so many questions around like, well, you, you lived a privileged life. Everything was all good. I. Middle class white family. Like. What are you upset about? And from the outside looking in, I understand how it could look that way. I very much do. Uh, but also the reality of the experience. Um, and what I went through is also something that's important to put in context. And that lays the foundation of that experience of as I'm gaining more knowledge as I get older, as I'm gaining more insight, I can actually put that moment into broader context of the black experience within the United States. Whereas prior to that, I was like, well, I think this was a I think this was racist. Like, I think that was the intention. But at eight years old, you don't fully know. No. And those weren't conversations that were happening in the household. Um, so it took me getting to a space where I had, uh, I had a broader black community. I had done more research. Um, I had learned more about history and systems, um, to be able to get to a place to understand what that actually meant. It makes total sense. And thanks for explaining that. You're one of the most requested interview subjects of the past decade, I would say. Um, I'm sure we were out to you a dozen times and, uh, but you didn't do really any interviews during the heat of 16 and 17. And in the aftermath, really, you've been, you know, I know you've done some interviews about your camp stuff, but you've never told the full story in an interview setting. Um, what was your thinking on not doing these type of interviews then? Yeah. Um, it's interesting because I, I get both sides of that question. Um, during 2016 and during the season, It was like, well, why are you talking so much? Like be quiet. Which as an NFL quarterback, you're required to speak three times a week. So. And reporters can ask you whatever they would like. I'm happy to answer any questions as part of that. But post that moment, one of the things I realized was it felt like there was a very, very intentional effort to make me the, the sole figure or the sole voice of the movement. And I didn't think that was appropriate. And I thought it was important to create space for other voices to be able to step up. And one of the reasons that I thought that approach was so important is looking back historically, um, we look at leaders like Ella Baker who was like, yes, we need strong leaders, but we need strong people collectively. And that's actually what gives us allows us to be able to sustain over time. Um, also as part of that, that was very important as there were very intentional attacks to try to discredit me, discredit what I was capable of on the field, discredit my character. Um, also making sure that in those efforts of trying to discredit me, they were also trying to discredit the broader movement. So if we can discredit the messenger in this instance, we can discredit everything that he's saying and all of the efforts and realities of the communities across the United States, and being intentional about making sure that there was space for other voices to step up, allowed us to be able to combat that. Um, and also create other leaders. Do you think other people have stepped up in the way that you wanted? And if there's one athlete who you think is really coming up or is doing that work, who would it be? Um, I don't look at this just as an athlete perspective. We've seen it come through. I would say my brother Eric Reed. I'm always going to bring him up. He continued the protest after I was blackballed. He himself went through the same reality. His final season went out, set two franchise records, was cut and never saw the field again. We had voices throughout the NBA step up. Whether that was LeBron, we saw Steph Curry, we saw Carmelo. We saw KD all stepping to the forefront. We're seeing it to this day throughout Europe. Um which is. I would say I would not have had the insight that this would have had the lasting impact internationally the way it does. Um, and that's just within the sports realm. Um, so more broadly, what I think is done is created opportunities, whether it is on a national stage, international stage or within local communities, people being able to step to the forefront and say, no, this is the work that needs to be done. Here are the things that we're trying to accomplish. This isn't in isolation to just something that I feel, but there is a a history here, and there are systems in place that we're trying to address to create a better environment for everybody to be able to thrive. And to me, that's, that's what I saw come out of it. And those are the conversations I've had the opportunity to have. Post 2016 is people saying, oh, this actually opened the door for me to be able to do the work in a way I previously wasn't able to. This kind of leads into you might have answered it like, what are you most proud of accomplishing over the last 910 years? Oh, that's a great question. Um, I think the thing that I would be most proud of accomplishing. Or at least that I hope this is the, the piece that I will walk away with is giving people the confidence to be able to take the actions that they know need to be taken. And I know that's not a specific instance or moment, but I think it speaks to a, a broader mentality. Um, and also morally, how do we move forward? So much of the conversation that I have seen and the conversations that I've had have been around, I knew this was an issue, but I didn't know how to address it without having the implications of being isolated as part of that and having more people have confidence to be able to step up and say, no, I know this is wrong. We're going to do the work to address it and be able to have the support from other organizations, other people within their community, um, across the country, and giving them the space to be able to go out and do that. To me, that's been the most impactful thing. Um, because of the ripple effect that that has had. Few athletes have been kind of the subject of intense fascination and debate in 2016, 2017, and ever since, really few people really, as you say, it's beyond sports. Was there a time when you first starting sitting and then kneeling? You know, there were Pop Warner teams kneeling. There were high school athletes kneeling. This was a big thing. So as you're in this national spotlight and you're seeing a movement around, you're seeing a firestorm around you, what are some of the maybe one surreal moment that we didn't see that your experience and how did you experience it and what can you share about it? So once a real moment early on, we had a high school castlemont in Oakland. Um, after I took a knee, they went out the next week and took a knee, and I went to go visit them the following week at their game. And not only did they understand the reality and why they were protesting and what they were advocating for, but I also had a moment where I was in the locker room with them before the game, and I heard the players talking there, hyping each other up. They're getting ready to go like it's going to be a big game for them. And one of the players talking to the team says we don't get to eat at home, so we're going to go eat on this field. And that was just a moment of. Like that is too often a reality within communities. So not only navigating threats against their life, but navigating whether or not they're even going to have a meal. And. For me, that that was such a surreal moment that athletes in high school and students in high school are going out trying to chase their dreams and compete at the highest level at the same time, are willing to stand up and risk themselves to go out and advocate for their community, while at the same time not knowing whether or not they're going to have a meal when they get home. And for me, that that really encapsulated and and painted a surreal picture of how dire this is. Um, so while the broader national conversation was happening, like this is just the reality on the ground. And for me, that moment, um, we, we went out, we supported the team through, through that year and did some work with them around that. But it, it really painted the picture for me. Um, just in a way that we're, we're fighting for people to be able to thrive in their communities, to be able to have the resources that they deserve and not have their lives threatened every day when they walk out the door. And to me, if we can accomplish that, we'll be much better as a society. Um, and I'll say it also feels like a. Feels like a very weird topic to debate whether or not that should be the case. Oh wow. Um, were you ever during the 2016 kneeling period, were you ever physically or psychologically threatened? Threats became so normalized that. Uh, I didn't really think about them too much. Um, just because it was constant. When you get attacked from the president of the United States, you're going to attack from senators. Have people try to send bombs to your home, like online threats and mail threats. All of that was so normal that I didn't even think about those things. Now I will say my my now wife, uh, Nessa, she. As I was getting these threats, it was like, yeah, you you can't be staying at your house. Stay at my house alone. Didn't live with anybody. She was in New York at the time. But that ultimately led to me, uh, saying that tone, uh, tones house for the rest of that 2016 season. Um, just so people didn't know where I was at. Um, so I would say that would be the one thing that changed a little bit is just moving, moving with discretion. Yeah. Um, but again, it became so normal that it was that just became part of life. Were you scared ever? No, I was thinking you get a little bit of the football mentality. Um where. If someone is going to try to do something. You're either going to try to do it or you aren't. For me, my responsibility is to be prepared for whatever that is, if it ever does arise. And I don't think about being being scared of that. It's just how do you be prepared for whatever may come? You mentioned LeBron earlier. You know, in that 2016 narrative, he spoke up at the Espy Awards with some other NBA All Stars about what was going on that year. Obviously, what you did was much more demonstrative and risky. Cost you your career as you've outlined. And people have known and talked about. But did a superstar athlete like LeBron speaking out on social issues in a way that, say, Michael Jordan didn't give you any more confidence or influence your action at all? Um. I would say one, I think it's important for athletes to be speaking out. Um, I would say the, the athletes that I, I drew the most inspiration from, um, because I was doing so much reading and putting things in historical context where the Muhammad Ali's, where the Tommie Smith and John Carlos were the curt flood's. Um, Mahmoud Abdul-rauf uh, and then also just putting in broader context, um, you know, Malcolm Martin, um, Paul Robeson, uh, Harry Belafonte, Huey Newton, uh, Angela Davis. I think when you put it in that broader context, you get an understanding of how far people were willing to go to create the change, to have direct impact in the community. So going back to tying this into that, The question around like, was there a moment of being scared? I know the work was more important, and we've seen our leaders historically prioritize that over their own lives. To be in a situation where you're getting threats, but at the same time, the impact that you have, you can have, can save lives. Like at what point do you, uh, I think it's important to avoid allow people allowing people to use scare tactics to stop the work from happening. And I think looking at the leaders historically, um, they prioritize the people over themselves. And I think that's important for us to keep in mind as we're moving forward. Did you ever worry that what happened to you served as a warning to other athletes? Um, and as a result, they were quiet rather than speaking up. Absolutely. And that is also part of the reason I continue the work so intentionally to this day. And I continue training so intentionally to this day. Uh, I know the intention was to send that message. If you try to advocate for the black community, if you try to, to fight against the status quo and create a different and better environment, we will take everything we can from you. And this actually showed up in one of our Know Your Rights camps in Las Vegas. I have one of our our young high school students pulled me aside in the middle of the camp and was like, hey, I really love football. I also really want to fight for my community and for that to be better. Which one do you think I should choose? Right. And the fact that they have made that a conversation that people feel like they have to choose. That is the very thing that I have to continue to fight against. I don't think there is an either or. We are we are people holistically. We can be phenomenal athletes. We can be phenomenal at our profession. We also can advocate for our community in a better society, um, and better conditions for our people. And I will also say, um, and this one, I, I will not name names around, but I had this same conversation with an Olympic athlete going into the Paris Olympics in 2024. I was like, hey, if I have to risk my career to be able to do the things I want in the community. I'm willing to do that, and I love the intention behind that. And I think that we should have that approach and intention. We should also make sure that that's never a reality. So that person, that athlete was worried, didn't want to do it. They were worried, but they wanted to do it, um, and said they were willing to do it. But to me, the push for us collectively should be we should never have to ask that question. Um, speaking of your NFL, you know, you're still training and we'll get into that. Um, did you ever come close in the last nine years of exile to deciding that you would stand for the anthem in order to get signed? Did it ever even cross your mind? No. No. Um, because the conditions haven't changed. I set out with a clear goal and clear objective, and the conditions in our society have not changed. There's been progress made in some areas, but holistically, when we look at the climate and environment that we are living in today, those conditions largely have not changed. So there there's still a lot of work to do. Um, and to me, going back to the, the broader message that was sent, there was also never going to be a moment where I took a position of, hey, I'll stand up so I can get my career back. Because that then becomes a. A moral concession of, you know, what? If you threaten my career or if you threaten my money, I will actually say I don't care about the people. And I will look at this just from an individual perspective. And to me, it is very important that as we think about living in a society, um, and our social relationship, if we only look at things from an individualistic perspective and how do I get more or how do I better position myself? The question that has to follow that is at the expense of who? You can do well and still take an approach of, I need everybody to be as successful as possible. My success does not have to be at the expense or detriment of someone else. Um, and to me, that's why that was a, that was a line that was not going to cross. And you're still not going to cross it if an NFL team came to you tomorrow. No. No. The record you get into a very, uh, various teams that you talked with and what happened? Um, who did you feel closest to siding with, if any of these teams. There were three teams that I think were at least I thought they were close. Um, the, the first was the Seattle Seahawks. Um. In 2017, flew up there, met with Pete Carroll, uh, John Schneider when I got there. The basically the conversation was, we know you're a starting quarterback. I didn't do a workout while I was there. They're like, we we know you can play. We've game planned for you. Uh, the last few years. Um, that's not a question for us. The entire conversation while I was there was just around my politics taking a knee, how I thought about policing, how I thought about the military, what their community would think, what potential players would think. Which. In retrospect, was fascinating to me on a few different fronts. One, the NFL claims, is a meritocracy. So walking in a building and telling me, you know, I'm a starter and not walking out with an offer makes that fall flat on its face. The second part is, I just think about it from a labor laws perspective. Now being an owner of a business and company. I would never be able to ask those questions and get away with it. Lawsuits would quickly follow. Um, so there's that component of it. But the, the part that was interesting is they didn't sign me that year. They publicly went out and said I was a starter. Reached back out the following year to have me come in for a workout. Had booked the flight, was ready to go out there and prior to getting on the flight, they called. My agent said, well, before he comes out to work out, will he commit to not taking a knee? I said, no, I won't commit to that. Cancel the flight. Cancel the workout. Um, never heard from them again. Um, so just very blatantly obvious. Um, again, that has nothing to do with performance. Um, the second one was the Ravens. Um and this one came about because uh, we had played against the Ravens in the Super Bowl. Uh, Jim Harbaugh was my coach during that time. His brother John Harbaugh was head coach of the Ravens. And I reached out to Jim and wanted to get his perspective like, hey, what, what do you think? Is there anyone that you know that would be interested? Um. And, like, do you think your brother would be open to a call? I just knew the, the type of people they were. Um, so he had set me up with John, um, had talked with John had gone back and forth. John was on board and was like, yeah, let's do it. Um, ultimately John went back, advocated for it, wanted to sign me. It was like it, it got shut down from above me. It's like, I don't, I don't have the power to just outright make that decision. But if it was my choice, you would be here. So that was the second one. Uh, and then the third one was the Raiders in 2022. Um, I'll say this one very, um, very interesting how this one came about. Had ran run into Mark Davis at an airport, um, which this was my this was actually the first time I had been face to face with one of the owners that was blackballing me. Um, and. It was, it was a very interesting conversation because. It was almost like disconnected from the reality of what was going on. Saw me and was like, hey, what's up? Like, how are you doing? What, what have you been up to? I was like, what? What are you talking about? Um, I've been trying to play and you've been keeping me out. Um. I would say that led to a follow up conversation, um, about me trying to play also was during the time period, he was trying to make a decision between Josh McDaniels and Jim Harbaugh as the coach for the the Raiders. And he came and sat in my living room and we talked about it. Talked about playing for the Raiders. Um he wanted to get through making that that coaching decision first. Um, I obviously was advocating for Harbaugh um, because that that was also a very obvious choice in my mind. Just looking at track record, if you want to win, there's an obvious choice here. Went in, did the workout during the workout. Workout went great. Josh McDaniels after the fact was like, you look bigger, stronger, faster than the last time I saw you. Um, Mark Davis came in the room after like, I'm so proud of you. That was a great workout. Had one of the scouts on the way back and like I'm surprised they let you walk out of the building without signing you. This is the best workout we've had in years from a quarterback. Never heard from him again. And that that was a I don't know what the intention was around that one. Um, which makes that one a little a little harder to deal with. Um, because I, I thought there was a real opportunity there. When Jim got the job with the Chargers in 24, did you reach out to him? Was there any conversation there? Yeah. What happened? Um, he, he told me that was a table he was not willing to stand on. Um, which was this. It was disappointing because prior to that he had been advocating for me. Um. Said, uh, I should be a starter. I can help a team win championships, um, and have the conversation with him and said, look, I don't even care what the role is. I know Justin Herbert's there. I know the reality of what you have to navigate as a head coach. Let me take the number two spot, then let me come in and just show you. Show everyone else what I can do and wouldn't do it. No opportunity, no workout. Has that affected your relationship with him today? Um, yeah. And I would say also in part because, uh, there was a conversation that was put out that he had offered me a coaching job, um, which just that just wasn't true. Um, I don't know where or why that came out, but, um, yeah, that's made the, the relationship a little bit different since. Thanks for clearing that up because there's so much out there that we're with you. We get to hear the truth. There's a lot out there. Yeah. Um, is there one question you're tired of being asked by. Um. That's a great question. I don't know if there's a I would say there's a question I'm tired of being asked the question that I. I would say especially in present day, that baffles me a little bit is when I get the question of like, why. And that one feels like. Over the last ten years, you aren't able to pick up context around why. Um, that one just feels like very disconnected. Um, now if there's much more intentional wise, like 100% get it, but like the why around the protest. Um. that one always stands out to me because at this point, that feels so clear and so obvious. Yeah, you made that pretty clear in your first statement from Steve Wyche. Right. You were very clear and intentional and um, yeah, yeah. What is one lesson from your career you think young athletes need to hear about? The lesson that I hope young athletes take away is just being resilient? Um, and I look at that throughout my life. One thing that I can guarantee you for our young athletes, you are going to face obstacles. You're going to face barriers, you're going to face challenges. Um, and you're going to face situations you've never faced before. Being resilient through those moments, one will help you build that muscle and become stronger. But two over time, it will actually get you to a place where you look at the challenges as opportunities. And I think getting to that space of resilience where when a challenge arises, you look at that as an opportunity for you to get better. Um, or an opportunity for you to, to change or reframe something. Um, to me, that's the most powerful lesson that I hope young athletes walk away with. That's awesome. Um, going back to your football a little bit, um, I've thrown you right, right that I've thrown it with and trained next to many of the quarterbacks were out there right now. I know I can do it better than many of them. Why are you confident that you are ready to be an NFL quarterback right now? Because I train for it. Um, I look at it from a perspective of. I rely on my training and preparation for any moment and. One of the best trainers in Hidalgo, who has been with me for for years now and this showed up in 2019. We had the workout, um, and had less than a week's notice to, hey, show up on the field and we're going to throw and perform. Um, it showed up in 2022, um, with the workout with the Raiders. And at this point, uh, I've grown confident in my ability to continue to stay ready because I've shown that the training works and I've shown that I've been able to go out and perform. Um, now next is gain the opportunity to be able to go, go out and show that in real action. Do you think you'll be an NFL quarterback. Say this time next year or any time this season. Time will tell. That's, uh, that's actually a great question for the NFL owners and Roger Goodell. But you'll be ready if they call on you. Absolutely. Is LeBron and Tom Brady that you're 38. Has their success kept you at it. You know what I mean. Like they've been successful at an older age. Yeah. Has you know if they didn't have has their success given you a template where listen they're in their 40s winning Super Bowls and competing and making all the NBA teams. I could do that too. The conversation around age. Um, I want to say it's completely gone out the window, but that that time horizon has drastically changed, um, in part because of their success. Um, also in part because sports science training, recovery, um, all of that has changed and has been able to extend the longevity of athletes careers. Um, I would say, especially at the quarterback position, like that's a position that, uh, even prior to present day, you saw quarterbacks having longer careers than a lot of the other positions within the NFL. For sure. Um, I want to talk to you about your relationship with the national anthem today. Um, when you go to sporting events, which I think you have at least gone to one Warriors game. Yeah. What do you do? Uh, I don't, I don't go out for the Star Spangled Banner. Okay. So, um, I'm either seated where I'm at, uh, or I'm not out there at all. And then show up when it's time for the actual game to to come on. Fair enough. I'm sure you haven't had a conversation about the national anthem with your daughter, but when you do. If you haven't yet, I assume you haven't. She's four. But what will you say about that particular American ritual? This is actually a this is a funny and timely question. Um, so we, we just went through the process of moving and, uh, as we were moving, we were putting some of the, the artwork up and pictures up and we have the time cover framed and we, we had set up, uh, I do my, my wife makes fun of me for this. I don't like having any of my stuff like in rooms that I'm in. I'm like, this feels feels weird to me. I don't like it. But she wants to have stuff up. So we were going to put it in the guest bedroom. So we had it sitting on the floor to be able to hang up. And my daughter found it and she grabbed it and was like, oh, this is going to my room. So she has the the time cover in her room. She specifically wanted it on the on the floor so she could see it for her bed. But she was like, oh, well, Bubba, like you're taking a knee like this. So she's showing me like how I'm taking a knee. She said, well, why are you taking a knee? And she was three at the time coming up on four. So we we had to start introducing that conversation to her, which is not a conversation I was expecting to be having at three and a half years old. Um, but it's already started to show up for her. Um, and we talk about their lens of protest and people. Yeah. What did you say to a three and a half year old about it? That conversation was. Well, Bubba was protesting to to try to create a, a better life for everyone. I thought all people should be be able to be successful and have good lives and be treated fairly. So it's, it's interesting trying to put that in context for, for three and a half year old. Um, but also has given me a little bit of insight into what is to come from, from her. The questions that are, that are likely going to be following in the coming months and years. Wow. I mean. Timely. So when she asks, I assume. Yes, she's pretty perceptive. I don't know if she's asked this yet, but she looks at your stats and sees your you have you make the Super Bowl and you're a very productive quarterback. And after 2016, you're 29 and you're not playing anymore. What are you going to tell her When she asked like, what happened, daddy? Like, why? Why did you stop playing or, or, you know. Yeah. Why weren't you playing anymore? Man, I'm going to tell you the truth. And what I'll say what's interesting is, uh, Nessa will. She will show her highlights, which is quickly turned into, um, this area that I, I tried, tried not to impose on. I was like, hey, whatever she wants to do, let her let her do it, like support her in that has now turned into I'm the quarterback. You're the receiver. No one else gets to play quarterback but her. Um, so she's running around the house playing quarterback. Um, but to that point, like it's a. It's going to be an honest this conversation. Um, in part because I also know I have to prepare her for the reality that she's going to walk into rooms and they're going to see her last name is Kaepernick, and she's going to get asked questions. And she's going to have to have to navigate things that she never asked for. So for me, part of my responsibility as a father is also making sure that she's prepared and equipped for that. Um, and that I'm setting her up for success. Amazing. Let's talk about your early life. Um, a little bit again, um, strong insight into your early life when it comes to your relationship with your parents, especially who, you know, I met in 2013 out in Turlock who were both white. To be clear, um, you know, to folks who might not know, um, you credit them with raising you and having your back, but there are many moments when they weren't as sensitive to your racial experience and awakenings that you probably would have liked to make that very clear in the book. You don't spare your feelings about it. Have your mom and dad read the book? Uh. They have not read it yet. Okay. How do you anticipate they'll. You know what they'll think about it. I think there will be. There's moments that they just don't know about. Um, and I mean, we, we have had conversations around it. Um, and just some of those realities. It, it is also something that. For me in thinking about, uh, a white, a white couple from Wisconsin, um, born and raised in Wisconsin, adopting a young black boy. Um. I'm going to be is very difficult for them to understand the reality of what that's going to be for me growing up. And that's where. I think as far as raising me on strong fundamentals and morals, um, teaching me to work hard, teaching me to, to treat people well, um, regardless of what their position or status may be in life. All of those things they did extremely well. Um, but when it comes to understanding being black, being a black man, um, what that means navigating society, that part largely didn't exist. Um, and that's where a lot of the conflicts come in around culture, around perception, around who I actually was. Um, I knew they always loved me as their son. I don't know if they always love my blackness. And I think that's an interesting nuance to be able to navigate. At the same time. I look at now as a, a space of. It gives me insight into how to be able to navigate things with my daughter and make sure that I try to lay an even stronger foundation for her and also having an understanding of, I love my parents. I also understand the complexity around it. Um, and. Having that understanding, I think is the most important piece of it, because then you can understand, uh, how to be able to navigate the best way possible. That makes sense. How would you characterize your relationship with them now? Um, I think we're in a good place as far as our relationship. I mean, they my my daughter loves loves calling them during dinner. That is that is part of her routine now. Um, they, they come out, they visit. So we're, we're in a good place, but there is still some of the complexities there. For sure, for sure, like any family does, but obviously a little more complexity around, um, you know, at several points in the book, you talk about the business of the NFL in the same breath as slavery. Um, at the draft combine, as you were being photographed nearly naked, you write about in compression sports shorts, you write that my mind immediately went to the scenes I had witnessed in numerous movies depicting slave auction blocks. You also write that I fully believe what happened to me was a form of buck breaking. That's a slave term to to describe how masters used to whip and sexually abuse abuse enslaved men in front of a crowd to dehumanize them and warn other slaves that they better not step out of line. I was made into a warning to other NFL players and professional athletes. You better not challenge the league's authority. You know, you make your feelings very clear and strong. Were you ever, ever worried, as you wrote the book, that some people might be compared, might be offended by comparing the NFL to slavery, even in a nuanced, contextual way? But even putting those two terms in there, it's going to get a reaction. Were you ever worried that people might be offended by that? Um, no, I, I know people would take things in the context that they want to. Um, but the, the parallels between the two, um, are undeniable that this is not the first time this has been covered. Um, I mean, Bill Rhoden wrote a whole book around it, $40 Million Slave. Um, this came up for Curt Flood when he was fighting for free agency for, uh, professional players. Um, and they had the same conversation with him. Well, at that point in time, he was making $90,000. I was like, well, you're making $90,000 a year. Curt Flood. How how can you how can you compare this to slavery? And I believe his his quote around that was, uh, a well-paid slave is a slave nonetheless. Um, or something to that effect, which speaks more to the institutions and practices, um, around how you are treating people and the process that they're going through, um, in the systems that they have to navigate as opposed to just taking something in isolation. Um, and a little bit of context around it. Like we just touched on earlier, like the message the NFL was sending and the impact that that was having. That was the same intention around buck breaking. While the practice of it and the execution of it may look different. The intention is the same, um and similar to the slave auction blocks and athletes walking across stage in their compression shorts. Me walking across stage in compression shorts has nothing to do with my ability to go out and perform as an athlete. So why does the practice still exist? And to me, being able to draw those parallels also gives people a little bit into a little bit of insight into the mentality around the organization and how they are trying to position players in the message they're trying to send to them. Got it. There are two new stories in the that weren't addressed in the book that just have to ask about quick. Yeah. One is your decision, you know, to wear socks depicting police as cartoon pigs in 2016 before you took your public stance, which obviously offended law enforcement personnel and police unions in particular. Um, why don't you or why do you regret that specific decision. Yeah. So for me, when I wore those socks, we were seeing police killing black people with impunity across the country. Um, this is something that has systemically been in place. It came out of slave patrols. Um, built into modern day policing. Now, policing in the US exists in a way that we don't see in other areas throughout the world. Um, so to me that was sending a message around the, the inhumane practices that police were practicing. And to me, if that is a way that we can bring attention to it and try to change that system like that, that's what that was around. Gotcha. And, you know, it had an effect where some people would never forgive you after that. But that seems to be, you know, people are going to take it as they want. But you know, these risks, right? Well. I also think it's The same people who are offended in a way that, hey, we're never going to forgive you for that. Why are you so remorseful for police killing black people? Why are you so accepting of that? A pair of socks is so offensive to you. But the killing of a human life. You're okay with. So if we're really going to have a conversation around it, let's actually put it in contrast of the conversations that we're having. To me, I'm going to choose valuing human life in every instance. Asked and answered, I appreciate that. And, um, the other is the shelving of the ESPN documentary ESPN said ESPN Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences. They said that a year ago. What were those creative differences? So we we had approved for the documentary to go out. Um, and that was not something that fit within their timeline. Um, so the documentary is finished. It's ready to go. Um, we're, we're looking for potential partners to be able to place it. So spike Lee documentary is done. It is done. So it's just out there. You're shopping it. Just waiting for someone to be able to pick that up. And so why did he want it. It's a great question. Um, I know, uh, they have shifting priorities as we're seeing publicly right now. Um, we also know they were, I believe at that point in the time in the midst of negotiating their deal with the NFL, right. Um, so I can't say that those things are, are connected. Um, but I believe are all factors. Great. AOC quoted somebody saying woke one was crazy and she seemed to agree. Um, I don't know if you saw that, um, she was referring to the period that included calls to defund police in 2028 after George Floyd. You wrote in a 20 2820 essay to eradicate anti-Blackness, we must also abolish police. The abolition of one without the other is impossible. Um, what's your response to AOC's characterizations and other political characterizations that sentiments like you expressed are meant to far? I understand the political realities that politicians are navigating. Um, I'm I'm not naive to that. Um, I also think the reality is if we are trying to create better communities that allow us to thrive, our resources shouldn't be going towards policing. They should be going towards resources that allow the community to thrive. And we see that across the country. We see it across the globe. When you invest in people, when you invest in communities, they get safer, people do better. Um, our crime rates drop. Uh, so I think the, I don't know all of the factors as far as where some of that shift comes, but I would also say, um, I would not discredit the work that was done around the country, um, during 2020 in that whole wave, because that has laid the foundation for the movement that we're seeing now. Um, and the success that we're seeing and having people's real issues addressed and we're seeing a different wave of politicians show up in a different type of politician show up and says, yeah, the bureaucracy, all of that. Like that's not where my concern is. AM I providing direct benefit to the people that I'm serving? And I think that is the most important priority to be able to keep in mind. And if we're doing that, we end up in a much better place today. Do you still abolish, excuse me, support abolish policing in 2026? Yes, I think that's the work that we should be doing. Um, again, reallocating those resources to directly benefit communities and be able to give them the resources that they need to be able to thrive. And also just to, you know, be clear on your views and why you think that way. I want to get that out there. You know, 2016, you told your San Francisco, you write about it, your Niners teammates in a meeting that, uh, about your protest, that, quote, law enforcement in this country has always been the enemy of black people in 2026, do you still feel that law enforcement in this country is the enemy of black people? And why or why not? Yeah, the the institution has not changed. Um, it still exists in the same form it did in 2016. Um, we're still seeing the same issues come out of it. Um, we're still seeing that, uh, fuel and funnel into the prison industrial industrial complex. Um, so until those systems are dismantled, um, and those resources are allocated to benefit communities, the institutions are serving the purpose that they were laid out to do. And that has not changed. I have to bring up Donald Trump at least once. I'm sorry. Um, what was it like? You know, how would you describe how would you characterize how he treated you and weaponized you? Um. I look at it as, uh. At least in my. To my knowledge, that was the first time I had seen a president use their position in political power to target an individual citizen. Um, and I think that laid the foundation and set set the stage for a lot of what we are seeing now. Um, and in many ways, I feel like that was an initial test to see how far things could go. I obviously do not agree with, uh, his political views or approach. I just don't, uh, I do not believe that the work he is doing is actually to benefit people other than himself. I just want to get you on the record view of the NFL giving money to social justice. Um, and, and, you know, they say they invested $460 million. Is that a PR play or sincere response to your protest? I view that as a PR play. Um, they had an issue around viewership. They had a major issue within black and brown communities. Um, there was a players owners meeting that this was explicitly called out from the owners. Bob McNair, who was the owner of the Texans at the time, said, you tell your compadres to stop that other business, meaning the protests. Bob Kraft was in that meeting and said, we need to talk about the elephant in the room and ending the protests. And Terry Pegula, the owner of the bills, just said explicitly, we need a black face to be at the forefront of this to help us stop this. So I think the efforts and intention behind what they're doing is very clear. And if it was actually to try to create change in benefit black communities, the NFL's response holistically from the start would have looked drastically different. I would have a job. Eric Reid would have a job. The other players that were targeted. Throughout that process, wouldn't have had to navigate that. So I think that that becomes very clear as far as the picture that was painted. And Goodell said in 2020, we should have listened, encouraged him to sign cap. It's a team decision. Do you forgive him? Uh, no. Because he's still he's still taking those actions to this day. They have not changed their practices. Um, and I'll also say, uh, to the question around the marketing and practices. Um, the NFL just went through navigating race norming, where they were assessing that the baseline intelligence or cognitive abilities of black players was lower than white players so that they could deny them medical benefits after playing in the NFL. Also important to put it into broader context. This isn't a practice that just exists in relation to me and the protests. These are processes that exist across the entire business. All right. I got to mention Jay-Z because you bring him up in the book and he just rapped about you don't know if you know this. The run of characters had to bring Kat back again. This is at Yankee Stadium a few weeks ago, but he took a check. I ain't even mad at him. But along with that check, you have to sign a non-disparagement. I'm the one they can't control. I mean, JVAJZ on the money. How would you characterize how Jay-Z has communicated with you and used you, brought you up? How would you characterize that? The fact that seven years after him cutting a deal to undermine the protests, um, unprompted brings me up. Uh, sounds like a guilty conscience to me. Um, I would also say just just to make very clear, um, the distinction here. One, I did not sign a Non-disparagement. Um, just make that abundantly clear. Should show up in this conversation based upon how I'm talking about the NFL. So hopefully that is clear. The second part of this is these are very different situations that he's trying to create a false equivalency around, um, being blackballed by the NFL and having to go through the grievance process or the legal process that has already laid out, laid out by the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the players union. Going through that process and then reaching a settlement at the end of it, because that is your path towards reconciliation. Um, is very different than cutting a deal with the NFL to create personal benefit and undermine the protests. So I just think this, uh, the conversation there and trying to conflate the two is very disingenuous. Okay, two more things before we go. Di, are you surprised that it's under fire and kind of. Are you surprised it's under fire? Something as simple as di. Are you surprised as a rejection of it? I'm not surprised it's being attacked by this administration. What I am surprised by is the capitulation by corporations, by organizations, um, to go along with it. That that I'm very surprised by. Um, I think that is very much the wrong approach. You're seeing that response from the people, but also, uh, when you see how this administration moves, that's not going to get you the outcome that you think it's going to, uh, because from my perspective, what I've seen is when you show weakness that you'll. You'll bow down to them, that you'll capitulate to them. They're going to try to take that further and further. So I think we need to find more strong leaders who are willing to stand up and say, no, I don't agree with you. I'm willing to hold strong because this is what's right for our community. It's what's right for our company. It's what's right for society. And I think collectively, we should be very aware and intentional of the organizations and leaders who are willing to capitulate in this moment, because that tells us a lot about who they are and the level of trust that we should have in them. All right. There have been millions of words written about the meaning of Colin Kaepernick. That's an unfair mascot at the end when you're about to leave. So in two sentences, three sentences. Colin Kaepernick what's the meaning of Colin Kaepernick? I would say. Colin Kaepernick wants to be great. And that's great when I'm on the football field. That's great when I'm showing up for our community. That's great as a husband, great as a father. Um, to me, I want to be great at what I do. And wherever I show up. And that may look different in different areas, but to me, we should be striving for that wherever we are. Um, because I think that will get us to the best outcomes. And you don't regret anything of the last ten years, as far as I can tell from the book. You know. I don't have regrets around it. Um, even moments where I think about could could I do things differently? Um, I just look at those as learning moments. Those, those learnings and instances wouldn't have happened if those actions weren't taken. Um, so I try to take it from a growth mindset of how do I get better? How do I keep advancing and how do I create more opportunities for us to thrive and succeed? The kneeling, the messaging, there's nothing in that aspect. You don't think you've made any mistakes? Uh, I'm I'm sure I've made plenty of mistakes. I'm not, uh, I do not have, uh. Or at least I hope not. I don't have that level of ego to be able to say I've made no mistakes whatsoever. Um, I'm. There have been many mistakes along the way. Um, but even within mistakes, I try to take it as those are moments for learning. Is there an example of it? A mistake that stands out? Actually, one that I, I think about, uh, a good amount is. I had intentionally taken an approach of, I'm, I'm going to do my best to not call out or attack people who I disagree with the approaches that they're taking, trying to undermine the protest. Um, and I did not want to create a environment or narrative that was centered around black people fighting and, uh, distracting from the intention of the protest. And one of the things I, I think about a decent amount is, was that a right approach? And did that create additional fragmentation, um, Within the work and how I think it should have been showing up. That's one of those moments that I don't know what's on the other side of that or how that plays out. Um, but it is an area that I think about if there was a different approach, there was. The players coalition, like you're talking about that. Yeah. Players coalition, um, even with, with Jay Z, like I didn't go out and do interviews around that. I didn't, I didn't do a full PR run addressing it. Um, because I, I believe people will see the work. Um, and my hope is in seeing the work, being able to model that as something that people will look at and say, oh, that's how it should be done. But I don't know if that created additional space for people to take the narrative in places that I shouldn't have gone. Um, that I don't know, but it's one of those things that I'm very mindful of as as I move forward. That's great. The cover real quick before he goes. Yeah, I know you brought it up. It's your cover art in your in your room. But I just want you to, you know, do you remember when that landed in 2016? Were you aware of it? I know we everyone was trying to interview you. You were playing. So you didn't talk for the story. But were you aware of this cover? And what was your reaction when you saw it? And maybe read the story or at least saw the image? I was aware of it and it was I mean, this is also for reference. This is the the same cover art that my daughter has in her room now, uh, that, that she'll mimic. Um, but it's, uh, I remember the moment around it because it felt like, uh, it felt like it became a staple of that moment. Um, in a way that, Uh, there was news coverage around it, people talking about it. Um, to my knowledge, this was the, the first publication, um, with time that actually made a statement in this way. And this is a, I still have people that come up to me and talk to me about this cover. Um, so I, I also want to say I'm very grateful for it. Um, because I. I think it helps solidify and validate, um, a lot of the work that we were trying to accomplish, especially in a moment looking at the date here. Uh, no. October 3rd, 2016. But we date ahead a little bit. So it was in the, in the middle of it. Yeah. This is like September. September ish was when it closed mid September. Yeah. Yeah. Um, so this is within the first like month or so of the protest that was was not a popular, comfortable time to cover it. And I think a very important moment in time. Again, very grateful for it. I'm also sure that, uh. You probably got plenty of opinions on the other side of it as well. Well, let me just bring up one up. I mean, we pulled the letters to the editor and you talked about the why the protest? But this was interesting. Perhaps, uh, others questions Kaepernick's approach. The national anthem doesn't stand for, quote, bad cops, bad teachers and bad preachers, noted Dave Kunkler of Ohio. So pretend you're the editor. What's your response to Mr. Kunkler? I think he and just to explain, I think he's saying that like it's the approach this person didn't like because the national anthem doesn't stand for bad cops, bad teachers, and bad preachers. So you're protesting bad cops against something that doesn't symbolize bad cops. My my question there would be twofold. Um, one is that not a part of the US society and something that largely within US society, we have accepted as the norm. You talk about the, the, the, the anthem ritual. Um, the ritual, but also policing and those, those also became very closely correlated, especially post 911. Um, so that that connection, um, is not something that you can separate the, the second part goes back to the conversation around. Are you more offended with the fact that people are protesting than you are with the fact that people are being killed? Right. And to me, that statement within itself is very revealing to what you prioritize, right? Your own comfort around your beliefs versus the lives of people. Um, and I think there's a, some reflection that could go on there. Um, to think about the impact on other people's lives, not just their own. For sure. And as for the ritual, the ritual of the, what you did, John Carlos, the, you know, stands out during that time. He said, you know, Colin's trying to reach the far ends of the world. I could have went. You know he did. John. Yeah. I could have went to Central Park and did it. And nobody would have said anything. Right. Like it's kind of like, yeah, that always stands out as like, you know, why, why you did the anthem like, right? Like you could have done anything. You could have done it when nobody saw you. But what's the point? Well, and the, the other part around that is if we're actually going to change society, we're going to have to have this conversation collectively. Um, so what becomes more revealing within. That is you actually don't want to change it. And then the question that should follow that is, well, why? Why would you not want this father to be able to return home to their family? Why would you not want this parent to be able to see their child walk back through their door? Why do you have such a level of comfort with knowing that they're being killed, and that we could do something to change it, but we're unwilling to collectively as a society. We got to you got to go. Anything I didn't ask or you want to say before we wrap up and thank you so much for the quick ending. No, uh, the perilous Fight out September 15th, uh, hopefully provide some valuable insights. Um, really grateful for the conversation. Go check it out. Uh, I hope you enjoy and hope we can collectively build together. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/colin-kaepernick-memoir-interview/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/colin-kaepernick-memoir-interview/"},"headline":"Colin Kaepernick on Threats He Faced, His NFL Exile, and That Jay-Z Lyric","datePublished":"2026-09-17T19:45:36.000Z","dateModified":"2026-09-23T15:14:38.651Z","description":"The former NFL quarterback tells his story in a new memoir","url":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/colin-kaepernick-memoir-interview/","keywords":["Football","NFL","Books"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4bfea85f1a220b71/6aaaf70abf6e6402c8d19e25/kaepernick-colin-2026-04.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675%2Coffset-x100.00%2Coffset-y0.00&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Sean Gregory","jobTitle":"Senior Correspondent","url":"https://time.com/author/sean-gregory/"}],"articleSection":"Sports","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4bfea85f1a220b71/6aaaf70abf6e6402c8d19e25/kaepernick-colin-2026-04.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675%2Coffset-x100.00%2Coffset-y0.00&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"kaepernick-colin-2026-04.jpg","caption":"","creditText":"","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/sports/","name":"Sports"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/football/","name":"Football"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/colin-kaepernick-memoir-interview/","name":"Colin Kaepernick on Threats He Faced, His NFL Exile, and That Jay-Z Lyric"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Colin Kaepernick Talks the NFL, Activism and His Legacy","description":"Following a string of high-profile police shootings of Black men 10 years ago, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began protesting such incidents by sitting during the national anthem at preseason games. What began as a quiet action turned into a fevered national debate about freedom of expression, patriotism, and so much more. In Kaepernick’s new memoir, The Perilous Fight, the quarterback explains that his action was spontaneous. He wasn’t even in uniform on August 13, 2016, the first time he sat during the anthem. Kaepernick writes. “I didn’t want to stand up while that song was playing. Rosa Parks had refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white person in 1955. Muhammad Ali wouldn’t step forward when his name was called by the draft board for the Vietnam War in Louisville in 1967. Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists in the air during the playing of the anthem at the 1968 Olympics. They didn’t like what they saw, the way this nation touted its commitment to justice and at the same time showed little interest in it, and they took action.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZWddMcWA/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2026-09-23T15:02:54.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ZWddMcWA.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/colin-kaepernick-memoir-interview/","duration":"PT1H12M11S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/colin-kaepernick-memoir-interview/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```