Ten years after he first knelt during the national anthem, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat down for his first interview with BBC Sport. He used the conversation to reaffirm that the protest, which he knew could jeopardise his career, was worth the sacrifice and that he would do it again.
Why the protest mattered
In September 2016 Kaepernick took a knee before a San Francisco 49ers preseason game to draw attention to racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. He repeated the gesture before 11 regular‑season contests that year, explaining that he could not “stand up for – and show pride in – a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.” The act sparked a nationwide debate about the role of politics in sport.
The personal cost
Kaepernick acknowledges that his protest “could potentially cost me my career.” After opting out of his contract in March 2017, he never signed with another NFL team despite a strong résumé that included a Super Bowl appearance in 2013 and 16 touchdowns in his final season. He later filed a grievance alleging that owners colluded to keep him out of the league, a claim that was settled financially in 2019. Even when the NFL arranged a private workout for him that year, he chose a public session elsewhere to ensure media coverage, yet a comeback never materialised.
Broader impact on sport
Kaepernick’s protest inspired other athletes to take the knee, both in the NFL and abroad. He expressed pride when England footballers adopted the gesture and noted that the movement spread to Black Lives Matter protests after the 2020 murder of George Floyd. However, he also observed a recent slowdown in athlete activism, attributing it to “concerted efforts” by organisations such as the NFL and political figures that have sought to temper dissent.
Kaepernick’s current perspective
Speaking from New York, Kaepernick said the protest’s legacy extends beyond the United States, highlighting the global challenge of racism. He criticised the notion that sport should be apolitical, pointing out taxpayer‑funded stadiums, owners’ political donations and the frequent use of sporting platforms for political messaging. He also condemned the Trump administration’s response, which labelled the protest “unpatriotic” and suggested Kaepernick should “find another country to live in.”
Continuing the fight
Beyond the field, Kaepernick remains active through his Know Your Rights education campaign, philanthropy and a memoir titled The Perilous Fight. He maintains his training regimen in case an unlikely NFL opportunity arises, and he stresses that the protest was the culmination of years of personal experience rather than a spontaneous act.
What the future may hold
While the knee remains a potent symbol, Kaepernick warns that its impact could wane if institutions do not address the “structural inequalities” that prompted the original protest. He urges athletes and fans alike to keep pushing for change, noting that the fight for an equitable society is “a very simple principle that has been lost.”
Ten years on, Kaepernick’s reflection underscores both the personal sacrifices he endured and the enduring relevance of his message. His willingness to repeat the protest, despite the professional fallout, signals that the conversation about race, politics and sport is far from over.