Colin Kaepernick no longer watches or supports the National Football League, citing an active league veto against him and ongoing retaliation against peers who joined his protests, according to a recent interview with NBC News.
An Unyielding Exile From Professional Football
The 38-year-old former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has remained unsigned since the end of the 2016 NFL season. His focus has shifted entirely away from professional football. When he watches the sport now, he tunes into college games instead.
The Cost of Protest and the Blackballing Claims
“I’m not going to support an organization that, first of all, is actively blackballing me and, second of all, has retaliated against my brothers who were also out protesting as part of this movement,” Kaepernick said during the interview.
Kaepernick’s career with the 49ers came to a halt following the 2016 season. The absence began shortly after he started kneeling during the national anthem to draw attention to racial inequality and police brutality.
Grievances, Settlements, and Activism
In 2017, Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid—who also knelt during the anthem—filed a collusion grievance against the NFL. The two sides reached a confidential settlement in early 2019.
While his playing career ended definitively, Kaepernick has maintained a prominent role as an activist and philanthropist. His “Know Your Rights” camps educate and empower youth communities. Meanwhile, his philanthropic foundation has funded independent autopsies in high-profile cases, including that of Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells.
Focusing on Impact Over Legacy
Asked how he views his place in sports history, Kaepernick told the network that dwelling on his legacy is not a primary concern.
“What I think about is what areas I can work in to make an impact and help move us forward collectively toward that future,” Kaepernick said. “Ultimately, people will decide what that legacy is, and I hope it’s a positive one.”
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