Colin Kaepernick Explains Why He Will Still Play in the NFL Years After Protest
Colin Kaepernick explains why he still wants to play in the NFL a decade after his protest, and why he won't back down from critics. The post Colin Kaepernick Explains Why He Will Still Play in the NFL Years After Protest appeared first on The Quintessential Gentleman.
Black News 
Former NFL star and activist Colin Kaepernick is currently making the press rounds to promote his new book, The Perilous Fight. On a recent stop on the Higher Learning podcast, Kaepernick addressed what many spectators have wondered.
Why does he still want to play in the NFL long after the well-documented protest he began 10 years ago? After host Rachel Lindsay explained her confusion about why Kaepernick still dreams of being welcomed back, the former San Francisco 49ers player had this to say.
“To me, I think of it as similar to the context that we put the conversation of the U.S. and what I heard from a lot of right-wing MAGA folks, which is, well, if you are going to critique America, why don’t you leave,” Kaepernick explained during the interview. “The conversation around the NFL has largely been the same.”
What began as the former quarterback sitting on the bench during the national anthem in August 2016, to protest racial injustice and police brutality, turned into Kaepernick kneeling. After a meeting with military veteran and former NFL player Nate Boyer, Kaepernick changed from sitting to kneeling as a respectful way to continue his protest while honoring military personnel.
Colin Kaepernick Can Protest and Still Play in The NFL
Kaepernick’s protest sparked a firestorm of criticism and commentary. After the 2016 season, he never played another NFL game. Kaepernick would go on to file a grievance accusing NFL owners of colluding to keep him out of the league; they
“If you are going to critique the NFL, if you’re going to say it’s racist, if you’re going to say you don’t trust the owners, well, why don’t you leave?” Kaepernick describes the response he has received since his protest. I don’t think we should be in a space where we run from those fights.”
Kaepernick explains that if we run from the fight
Speaking about his latest book, The Perilous Fight, Kaepernick explains to Fresh Air Podcast host Tonya Mosley that “The NFL tried to send a very clear message that if you protest police killing Black folks, if you fight for a better society and better community, we’re going to try to take your career from you. I … don’t accept that that is going to be the end outcome of this, and will do everything I can to make sure that I change that narrative.”
‘The Perilous Fight’
Kaepernick’s fight has led him to gain partnerships with brands like NIKE. Kaepernick was also named the 2026 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year for his courage in standing against racial injustice.
The Know Your Rights Camp founder further explained his reasoning to Lindsay. “I reserve the right to be able to critique them,” regarding NFL owners. Kaepernick says he has the right to call out what he sees. “I can also try to pursue a career that I’ve been able to build over 20-plus years.”
This last month, Kaepernick has been more open about his journey over the past 10 years. Usually reserved, the activist is owning his narrative and not backing down from critics who are confused about his intentions.
“I wouldn’t wake up at 4:30 am every morning and train if I didn’t want to play,” Kaepernick responded to those who question if he really wants to play football again. “This is not something that is performative or symbolic… it is something I prepared for and continue to prepare for over the last 10 years.”
Photo Credit: Netflix
The post Colin Kaepernick Explains Why He Will Still Play in the NFL Years After Protest appeared first on The Quintessential Gentleman.
