On September 1, 2016, Colin Kaepernick took a knee before an NFL game in protest against racial injustice in the United States of America. That day he will go down in African-American history as he heralded much-needed change in a previously radio-quiet NFL.
Kaepernick’s protest was not the first of its kind in the US, but never before has a player taken such a gamble in the censored extra league that is the NFL. So almost seven years later, the question remains, why did Colin Kaepernick take a knee?
This Super Bowl Sunday, let’s remember why Colin Kaepernick took a knee. No matter how much the Republicans want to erase it. #black history month https://t.co/hVhGwnjH6n
Why did Colin Kaepernick take a knee?
Colin Kaepernick took a knee so the modern civil rights movement could work, and the $126 million San Francisco 49ers QB decided to risk it all for a good cause. In 2016, the US was plagued by numerous cases of racial injustice.
The player did not mince words about his protests, and fixed:
“It’s to protest the injustices that are happening here, the oppression that is happening in America.”
Before Colin Kaepernick took a knee, there was no real form of protest in the National Football League. Sure, a couple of players made token gestures signifying their discontent with the state of the country, but none of the magnitude of Kaepernick.
We must remember that he was a starting Super Bowl quarterback and the likely future cornerstone of the 49ers before he started protesting.
Some say that soccer is not a place for politics. You are wrong. Colin Kaepernick took a knee to protest relentless police violence against Black communities and was blacklisted for it. Protesting athletes deserve better. To the players who took a knee this season, we stand with you. https://t.co/t4ghjsSk17
What impact did Colin Kaepernick’s Kneel have against racial injustice?
Immediately after Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling, other National Football League players began to kneel and/or raise their fists in protest. As such, this caused a ripple effect throughout the NFL, American sports, and the entire nation.
It finally became clear to stakeholders that this was not an issue that could be trivialized and that the fight against racial injustice was finally national. As we know, the NFL is one of the most watched leagues in North America, so before long, ordinary citizens joined the protests.
These protests were not to the liking of then-President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, who never minced words to express his displeasure. Kaepernick’s kneeling helped advance the fight against racial injustice, though it likely cost him a spot in the NFL.
Since January 1, 2017, the player has not played a single snap in the league, even though he has remained in great shape during his enforced layoff.
Was Colin Kaepernick a good NFL player?
Yes, Colin Kaepernick was a solid NFL player and was once one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the entire league. He was known to be an incredible athlete and a more than competent passer.
The San Francisco 49ers drafted him in the 2011 NFL Draft and he took his spot behind Alex Smith on the depth chart. However, all he needed was one season on the bench to usurp incumbent Alex Smith from San Francisco’s QB1 role.
He performed admirably as a starter for the 49ers, and the highlight of his NFL career was an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 49ers might have lost, but Kaepernick gave a stellar tally of himself with 302 passing yards.
The rest of his NFL career was filled with ups and downs as he struggled to stay healthy during his later seasons. Furthermore, his protests against racial injustice allegedly contributed to his being kicked out of the NFL in 2016.
Overall, Kaepernick was a solid quarterback in the NFL who might have had a longer and more iconic football career had it not been for a few factors outside of his control.
He finished his NFL career with 12,271 passing yards, 72 passing touchdowns, and 30 interceptions in 69 games. He also added 2,300 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.