As a San Francisco 49er fan, I’m very excited for my team to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58. But I can’t help but think about what the National Football League did to my favorite quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, in 2016.
On September 1, 2016, NFL starting quarterback Kaepernick performed one of the most courageous acts I have ever seen by a professional athlete. Kaepernick sat during the national anthem and then knelt in support of the fight against police brutality, discrimination and racial inequality.
Kaepernick was seen as a brave hero, but to some he was seen as a privileged black athlete who didn’t stand up and disrespected his country and military.
To me, Kaepernick did the most American thing possible, rebelling against a power structure beyond his control, and still faced criticism that questioned his patriotism.
Kaepernick was eventually blacklisted by the NFL for exercising his First Amendment right to peacefully protest, even though other players decided to join his cause. . This seemed to be his NFL version of social justice at the time.
Meanwhile, scores of players decided to kneel in solidarity with Kaepernick. Most notable was 49ers free safety Eric Reid. Reid took up Kaepernick’s cause by taking a knee all the way through the 2019 season, but unfortunately he ended up being banned from NFL teams league-wide as well and became a free agent in 2020.
Like Kaepernick, Reid ultimately settled a grievance case with the NFL privately and was forced to retire at the ripe old age of 28.
In 2018, the movement slowed down significantly when the NFL stripped players of their right to kneel during the national anthem, and players were given suspensions along with fines.
Now in the 2023 season, the NFL is an almost entirely different organization, with new social justice initiatives emphasizing the importance of breaking down barriers and ending systemic racism.
Since Kaepernick played his last game with the 49ers in 2017, no other team has offered him an opportunity to play.
Related: Opinion: The Kings are about more than basketball.
Even after becoming NFL Commissioner roger goodell, issued a public apology to Kaepernick, but he is still not really considered to play professionally again. While Goodell’s apology is nice to hear, it doesn’t feel as sincere as it could have been because no steps were taken to right what happened to Kaepernick and players like him.
The same federations that now preach that black lives matter have silenced the very voices that were saying it in the first place. The only difference is that Mr. Kaepernick decided to protest before it became public. If Goodell’s apology had been as sincere as he thought, Kaepernick would have at least been on the practice squad today.
Now, Kaepernick has pivoted to another call to action, advocating for social justice in his community and others like him who have experienced discrimination.
Without Kaepernick’s unwavering kneeling for the national anthem and the flag, the NFL would not be where it is today from a social justice perspective.
Since 2020, the NFL has committed $250 million over 10 years to combat systemic oppression. Additionally, the NFL now openly allows players to wear helmets with social justice messages and has established initiatives to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity.
As a Mexican-American myself, I thought Kaepernick was not only a great athlete, but someone I could relate to on an ethnic and personal level. He taught me that I can make a difference in my community along with others like me, and that if I have a platform, I should use it for good. .
Instead of remaining silent, Kaepernick risked his reputation, career, and safety for the greater good of the African American community. Some may see it as rude and privileged, but I see it as inspirational.
Despite the controversy and shame he faced, Kaepernick stood up against hatred and discrimination, which led to him being celebrated nationally in light of Black History Month.
If Kaepernick hadn’t taken that knee, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to write this today. His sacrifice taught me that the world is much bigger than just sports, and that my voice matters too.