Colin Kaepernick: Difference between revisions
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* Rushing yards by a quarterback in a game: 181 |
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* Rushing yards by a quarterback in a postseason: 264 |
* Rushing yards by a quarterback in a postseason: 264 |
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'''Colin Rand Kaepernick''' ({{IPAc-en|'|k|æ|p|ər|n|ᵻ|k}} {{Respell|KAP|ər|nik}};<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farmer |first=Sam |date=January 17, 2013 |title=Kaepernick is suddenly a big name, and now we know how to say it |url=https:// |
'''Colin Rand Kaepernick''' ({{IPAc-en|'|k|æ|p|ər|n|ᵻ|k}} {{Respell|KAP|ər|nik}};<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farmer |first=Sam |author-link=Sam Farmer |date=January 17, 2013 |title=Kaepernick is suddenly a big name, and now we know how to say it |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2013-jan-17-la-sp-colin-kaepernick-20130117-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914043509/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/17/sports/la-sp-colin-kaepernick-20130117 |archive-date=September 14, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> born November 3, 1987) is an American [[civil rights activist]] and former professional [[American football|football]] [[quarterback]]. He played six seasons for the [[San Francisco 49ers]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). In 2016, he [[U.S. national anthem protests (2016–present)|knelt during the national anthem]] at the start of NFL games in protest of [[Police brutality in the United States|police brutality]] and [[racial inequality in the United States]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Colin Kaepernick's private NFL workout, Prince Andrew's interview: 5 things to know this weekend|date=November 16, 2019|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/11/16/colin-kaepernick-nfl-workout-prince-andrew-interview-leonid-meteor-shower/4189555002/|access-date=November 17, 2019|quote=Kaepernick, 32, hasn't played in an NFL game since 2016 after he began kneeling during pregame renditions of the national anthem as a means of protesting police brutality and racial inequality in America.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kaepernick, from Super Bowl quarterback to NFL pariah|date=April 9, 2018|work=France 24|agency=[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20180904-kaepernick-super-bowl-quarterback-nfl-pariah|access-date=November 17, 2019|quote=What began as a quiet protest against police brutality and racial inequality catapulted Colin Kaepernick to the forefront of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lang|first=Cady|title='I Feel Like Jay-Z Can Bring Back Colin Kaepernick.' Celebrities Weigh in on Jay Z's New NFL Deal|date=August 19, 2019|magazine=Time|url=https://time.com/5655381/jay-z-nfl-kaepernick-controversy-responses/|access-date=November 17, 2019|quote=Cardi also said that she hoped that Jay-Z would be able to influence the league to hire Kaepernick, who has not played in the league since 2016, following tensions over his decision to kneel during the national anthem as a form of peaceful protest against police brutality and racial inequality.}}</ref> |
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Kaepernick played [[college football]] for the [[Nevada Wolf Pack football|Nevada Wolf Pack]], where he was named the [[Western Athletic Conference]] (WAC) Offensive Player of the Year twice and became the only player in [[NCAA Division I FBS|NCAA Division I]] history to amass 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in a career. After graduating, he was selected by the 49ers in the second round of the [[2011 NFL |
Kaepernick played [[college football]] for the [[Nevada Wolf Pack football|Nevada Wolf Pack]], where he was named the [[Western Athletic Conference]] (WAC) Offensive Player of the Year twice and became the only player in [[NCAA Division I FBS|NCAA Division I]] history to amass 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in a career. After graduating, he was selected by the 49ers in the second round of the [[2011 NFL draft]]. Kaepernick began his professional football career as a backup quarterback to [[Alex Smith]], and became the 49ers' starter in the middle of the [[2012 San Francisco 49ers season|2012 season]] after Smith suffered a [[concussion]]. He then remained the team's starting quarterback for the rest of the season, leading the team to their first [[Super Bowl XLVII|Super Bowl]] appearance since [[Super Bowl XXIX|1994]]. During the [[2013 San Francisco 49ers season|2013 season]], his first full season as a starter, Kaepernick helped the 49ers reach the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship Game: Seattle Seahawks 23, San Francisco 49ers 17|NFC Championship Game]]. Over the next three seasons, Kaepernick lost and won back his starting quarterback job, with the 49ers missing the playoffs for three seasons. |
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In the 49ers' third [[exhibition game|preseason game]] in [[2016 San Francisco 49ers season|2016]], Kaepernick sat during the playing of the [[The Star-Spangled Banner|U.S. national anthem]] prior to the game, rather than stand as is customary, as a protest against [[Racism in the United States|racial injustice]], police brutality and oppression in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wyche |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Wyche |date=August 27, 2016 |title=Colin Kaepernick explains why he sat during national anthem |url= |
In the 49ers' third [[exhibition game|preseason game]] in [[2016 San Francisco 49ers season|2016]], Kaepernick sat during the playing of the [[The Star-Spangled Banner|U.S. national anthem]] prior to the game, rather than stand as is customary, as a protest against [[Racism in the United States|racial injustice]], police brutality and oppression in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wyche |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Wyche |date=August 27, 2016 |title=Colin Kaepernick explains why he sat during national anthem |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat-during-national-anthem-0ap3000000691077 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820000932/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000691077/article/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat-during-national-anthem |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |access-date=August 20, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/24/colin-kaepernick-blackballed-nfl/ |title=Has Colin Kaepernick been blackballed by the NFL? |newspaper=[[The Denver Post]] |last=Blackistone |first=Kevin B. |author-link=Kevin Blackistone |access-date=August 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526132004/https://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/24/colin-kaepernick-blackballed-nfl/ |archive-date=May 26, 2017 |date=March 24, 2017 }}</ref> The following week, and throughout the regular season, Kaepernick [[Taking the knee|kneeled]] during the anthem. The protests received highly polarized reactions, with some praising his protests and others denouncing the protests. The actions resulted in a wider protest movement, which intensified in September 2017 after President [[Donald Trump]] said that NFL owners should "fire" players who protest during the national anthem.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2017 |title=Trump says NFL should fire players who kneel during national anthem |url=https://latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-trump-nfl-anthem-20170922-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143540/http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-trump-nfl-anthem-20170922-story.html |archive-date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2018 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Eli |date=October 9, 2017 |title=Pence leaves Colts game after protest during anthem |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/08/politics/vice-president-mike-pence-nfl-protest/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208081558/https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/08/politics/vice-president-mike-pence-nfl-protest/index.html |archive-date=February 8, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2018 |website=[[CNN.com]]}}</ref> Kaepernick became a free agent after the season and remained unsigned, which numerous analysts and observers have attributed to political reasons.<ref name=":3" /> In November 2017, he filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners, accusing them of [[collusion]] in keeping him out of the league. In August 2018, arbitrator [[Stephen B. Burbank]] rejected the NFL's request to dismiss the case.<ref>{{Cite news |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Kaepernick was born in 1987 in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], to 19-year-old Heidi Russo, who is a white American.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Martenzie|first1=Johnson|title=Colin Kaepernick's parents break silence: 'We absolutely do support him'|url= |
Kaepernick was born in 1987 in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], to 19-year-old Heidi Russo, who is a white American.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Martenzie|first1=Johnson|title=Colin Kaepernick's parents break silence: 'We absolutely do support him'|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18247113/colin-kaepernick-parents-break-silence-speak-support-criticized-quarterback|access-date=December 27, 2017|work=[[ESPN.com]]|date=December 10, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228000514/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18247113/colin-kaepernick-parents-break-silence-speak-support-criticized-quarterback|archive-date=December 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LkAmAOsi8Y8C |title=Playing with Purpose: Football: Inside the Lives and Faith of the NFL's Most Intriguing Personalities |first=Mike |last=Yorkey |date=August 1, 2013 |publisher=Barbour Publishing |isbn=9781624165115 |via=Google Books |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118224243/https://books.google.com/books?id=LkAmAOsi8Y8C |archive-date=November 18, 2016 }}</ref> His birth father, who is a black American (of [[Ghana]]ian, [[Nigeria]]n, and [[Ivory Coast|Ivorian]] ancestry) and whose identity is unknown,<ref name="nyt_branch">{{Cite news |last1=Branch |first1=John |author1-link=John Branch |title=The Awakening of Colin Kaepernick |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 7, 2017 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/sports/colin-kaepernick-nfl-protests.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004025900/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/sports/colin-kaepernick-nfl-protests.html |archive-date=2017-10-04 |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=September 11, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> separated from Russo before Kaepernick was born.<ref name="reily" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 31, 2013 |title=Painful Losses Endure For Kaepernicks |work=NPR.com |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=170799434 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130225223849/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=170799434 |archive-date=February 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Daniels |first=Tim |date=August 30, 2018 |title=Rodney Harrison Says Colin Kaepernick Is 'Not Black' Amid 49ers QB's Protest |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2660568-rodney-harrison-says-colin-kaepernick-is-not-black-amid-49ers-qbs-protest |access-date=July 23, 2019 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref> Russo placed Kaepernick up for adoption and at 5 weeks old he was placed with a white couple named Rick and Teresa Kaepernick.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bulio |first=Henrique |date=November 8, 2022 |title=Who are Colin Kaepernick's adoptive parents Rick and Teresa? New series highlights NFL star's background |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-colin-kaepernick-adoptive-parents-rick-teresa |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=sportskeeda |language=en-us}}</ref> The couple had two biological children: son Kyle and daughter Devon. The Kaepernicks decided to adopt a boy after losing two other sons to [[heart defect]]s.<ref name="reily">{{Cite news |last=Reilly |first=Rick |date=January 30, 2013 |title=A call Kaepernick should make |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/8897116/colin-kaepernick-birth-mom |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202070650/http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/8897116/colin-kaepernick-birth-mom |archive-date=February 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wise |first=Mike |title=Super Bowl: Colin Kaepernick isn't out of central casting, but he may become new poster boy |date=January 30, 2013 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/super-bowl-colin-kaepernick-isnt-out-of-central-casting-but-he-may-become-new-poster-boy/2013/01/30/ebe1a636-6b38-11e2-af53-7b2b2a7510a8_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060153/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-01-30/sports/36647075_1_colin-kaepernick-social-media-white-couple |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=August 25, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Aimee |date=September 10, 2018 |title=Colin Kaepernick: A cultural star fast turning into a global icon |work=[[CNN.com]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/07/sport/colin-kaepernick-protest-taking-the-knee-nate-boyer-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=September 24, 2018}}</ref> |
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Kaepernick lived in [[Fond du Lac, Wisconsin]], until age four, when his family moved to [[California]].<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/sports/ncaafootball/29kaepernick.html |title=Not a Household Name, Not Even in Nevada |first=Adam |last=Himmelbach |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 28, 2010 |access-date=October 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828190731/http://www.nytimes.com//2010//08//29//sports//ncaafootball//29kaepernick.html |archive-date=August 28, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Adelson">{{cite web |url= |
Kaepernick lived in [[Fond du Lac, Wisconsin]], until age four, when his family moved to [[California]].<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/sports/ncaafootball/29kaepernick.html |title=Not a Household Name, Not Even in Nevada |first=Adam |last=Himmelbach |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 28, 2010 |access-date=October 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828190731/http://www.nytimes.com//2010//08//29//sports//ncaafootball//29kaepernick.html |archive-date=August 28, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Adelson">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5644658 |title=Colin Kaepernick more than star QB |first=Andrea |last=Adelson |website=[[ESPN.com]] |date=October 4, 2010 |access-date=October 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006203915/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5644658 |archive-date=October 6, 2010 }}</ref> When he was eight years old, Kaepernick began playing [[American football in the United States#Youth leagues|youth football]] as a [[defensive end]] and [[Punter (gridiron football)|punter]]. At age nine, he was the starting quarterback on his youth team, and he completed his first pass for a long touchdown.<ref name=NYT /> A 4.0 [[grade point average|GPA]] student<ref name=USAToday>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/29/49ers-colin-kaepernick-tattoo-criticism-sporting-news/1736671 |title=Colin Kaepernick's parents upset at criticism of son's tattoos |first=Robert |last=Klemko |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=November 30, 2012 |access-date=January 30, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201044046/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/29/49ers-colin-kaepernick-tattoo-criticism-sporting-news/1736671/ |archive-date=February 1, 2013 }}</ref> at [[John H. Pitman High School]] in [[Turlock, California]], Kaepernick played football, [[basketball]] and [[baseball]] and was nominated for all-state selection in all three sports his senior year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kaepernick's years in Turlock will be told in Netflix series |url=https://www.turlockjournal.com/news/local/kaepernicks-years-in-turlock-will-be-told-in-netflix-series/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=www.turlockjournal.com}}</ref> In his senior year, he was the [[most valuable player]] (MVP) of the Central California Conference in football.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Modesto Bee | last=Estrada | first=Richard T. | title=Cubs surprise Kaepernick with selection | date=June 12, 2009 |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee-ccmvp2/141598057/ C-4] | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee-ccmvp1/141598470/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Modesto Bee | date=January 12, 2006 | page=C-4 | last=DeBoard | first=Will | title=Pitman stars will be opponents in college | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee-ccmvp/141600287/}}</ref> In basketball, he was a first-team [[Commonwealth Coast Conference|All-CCC]] selection at forward and led his 16th-ranked team to a near upset of No. 1-ranked [[Oak Ridge High School (El Dorado Hills, California)|Oak Ridge High School]] in the opening round of the playoffs. In that game, Kaepernick scored 34 points, but future NBA player [[Ryan Anderson (basketball, born 1988)|Ryan Anderson]] of Oak Ridge scored 50 points to lead his team to a victory.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hale |first=Jennifer |title=Ryan Anderson recalls going up against Colin Kaepernick in high school |date=May 4, 2014 |work=FoxSports.com |url=http://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/ryan-anderson-recalls-going-up-against-colin-kaepernick-in-high-school-030414 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320064440/http://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/ryan-anderson-recalls-going-up-against-colin-kaepernick-in-high-school-030414 |archive-date=March 20, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==College career== |
==College career== |
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===2011 season=== |
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====2011 season==== |
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{{See also|2011 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
{{See also|2011 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
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On April 29, 2011, the [[San Francisco 49ers]] traded up with the [[Denver Broncos]] from the thirteenth pick in the second round (45th overall) to select Kaepernick as the fourth pick in the second round (36th overall) at the [[2011 NFL |
On April 29, 2011, the [[San Francisco 49ers]] traded up with the [[Denver Broncos]] from the thirteenth pick in the second round (45th overall) to select Kaepernick as the fourth pick in the second round (36th overall) at the [[2011 NFL draft]]. The Broncos received picks 45, 108, and 141 overall in exchange for the 36th overall pick.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/draft.htm |title=2011 NFL Draft Listing |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=January 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814023237/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/draft.htm |archive-date=August 14, 2017 }}</ref> |
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Kaepernick spent the [[2011 San Francisco 49ers season|2011 season]] as backup to [[Alex Smith]] and attempted just five passes in three games during the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colin Kaepernick 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=Pro |
Kaepernick spent the [[2011 San Francisco 49ers season|2011 season]] as backup to [[Alex Smith]] and attempted just five passes in three games during the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colin Kaepernick 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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===2012 season=== |
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{{See also|2012 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
{{See also|2012 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
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In [[2012 San Francisco 49ers season|2012]], Kaepernick was initially used sparingly to run certain plays. He scored his first career touchdown in the team's fourth game when he scored on a seven-yard run against the [[2012 New York Jets season|New York Jets]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2012 |title=Kaepernick Draws First Blood with TD in 'Niners Win Over Jets |url=http://www.kolotv.com/sports/headlines/Kaepernick-Draws-First-Blood-with-TD-in-Niners-Win-Over-Jets-172006031.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022013903/http://www.kolotv.com/sports/headlines/Kaepernick-Draws-First-Blood-with-TD-in-Niners-Win-Over-Jets-172006031.html |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |access-date=October 13, 2012 |website=KOLO 8 News Now}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=September 7, 2012 |title=Packers preparing for 49ers to use Colin Kaepernick in the Wildcat |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/07/packers-preparing-for-49ers-to-use-colin-kaepernick-in-the-wildcat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010130725/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/07/packers-preparing-for-49ers-to-use-colin-kaepernick-in-the-wildcat/ |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}</ref> In Week 10, against the [[2012 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]], Kaepernick replaced Smith in the second half of the game after he suffered a concussion in the first half. Kaepernick completed eleven of seventeen passes for 117 yards and added 66 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown as the 49ers and the Rams ended the game in a 24–24 tie.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2012 |title=49ers, Rams play to NFL's first tie in four years |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/11/rams-49ers-24-24-tie/1698481/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904023538/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/11/rams-49ers-24-24-tie/1698481/ |archive-date=September 4, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=USA Today |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He got his first NFL [[Starting lineup|start]] the next game on November 19, during a ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' game against the [[2012 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] at [[Candlestick Park]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/19/alex-smith-colin-kaepernick-concussion-san-francisco-49ers/1714031/ |title=49ers' Alex Smith out vs. Bears, Colin Kaepernick to start |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=November 20, 2012 |first1=Nate |last1=Davis |date=November 19, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119224329/http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/19/alex-smith-colin-kaepernick-concussion-san-francisco-49ers/1714031/ |archive-date=November 19, 2012 }}</ref> Kaepernick completed 16-of-23 for 246 yards with two touchdowns in a 32–7 win against a highly ranked Bears defense.<ref>{{cite news |last=Samano |first=Simon |title=Alex Smith or Colin Kaepernick? 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh wouldn't say after win over Bears |date=November 20, 2012 |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/20/49ers-qb-controversy-colin-kaepernick-alex-smith/1716261/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206080056/https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/20/49ers-qb-controversy-colin-kaepernick-alex-smith/1716261/ |archive-date=December 6, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 25, 2017 }}</ref> A quarterback controversy began. Smith was ranked third in the NFL in passer rating (104.1), led the league in completion percentage (70%), and had been 19–5–1 as a starter under Harbaugh, while Kaepernick was considered more dynamic with his scrambling ability and arm strength.<ref>{{cite |
In [[2012 San Francisco 49ers season|2012]], Kaepernick was initially used sparingly to run certain plays. He scored his first career touchdown in the team's fourth game when he scored on a seven-yard run against the [[2012 New York Jets season|New York Jets]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2012 |title=Kaepernick Draws First Blood with TD in 'Niners Win Over Jets |url=http://www.kolotv.com/sports/headlines/Kaepernick-Draws-First-Blood-with-TD-in-Niners-Win-Over-Jets-172006031.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022013903/http://www.kolotv.com/sports/headlines/Kaepernick-Draws-First-Blood-with-TD-in-Niners-Win-Over-Jets-172006031.html |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |access-date=October 13, 2012 |website=KOLO 8 News Now}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=September 7, 2012 |title=Packers preparing for 49ers to use Colin Kaepernick in the Wildcat |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/07/packers-preparing-for-49ers-to-use-colin-kaepernick-in-the-wildcat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010130725/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/07/packers-preparing-for-49ers-to-use-colin-kaepernick-in-the-wildcat/ |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}</ref> In Week 10, against the [[2012 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]], Kaepernick replaced Smith in the second half of the game after he suffered a concussion in the first half. Kaepernick completed eleven of seventeen passes for 117 yards and added 66 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown as the 49ers and the Rams ended the game in a 24–24 tie.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2012 |title=49ers, Rams play to NFL's first tie in four years |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/11/rams-49ers-24-24-tie/1698481/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904023538/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/11/rams-49ers-24-24-tie/1698481/ |archive-date=September 4, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=USA Today |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He got his first NFL [[Starting lineup|start]] the next game on November 19, during a ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' game against the [[2012 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] at [[Candlestick Park]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/19/alex-smith-colin-kaepernick-concussion-san-francisco-49ers/1714031/ |title=49ers' Alex Smith out vs. Bears, Colin Kaepernick to start |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=November 20, 2012 |first1=Nate |last1=Davis |date=November 19, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119224329/http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/19/alex-smith-colin-kaepernick-concussion-san-francisco-49ers/1714031/ |archive-date=November 19, 2012 }}</ref> Kaepernick completed 16-of-23 for 246 yards with two touchdowns in a 32–7 win against a highly ranked Bears defense.<ref>{{cite news |last=Samano |first=Simon |title=Alex Smith or Colin Kaepernick? 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh wouldn't say after win over Bears |date=November 20, 2012 |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/20/49ers-qb-controversy-colin-kaepernick-alex-smith/1716261/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206080056/https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/20/49ers-qb-controversy-colin-kaepernick-alex-smith/1716261/ |archive-date=December 6, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 25, 2017 }}</ref> A quarterback controversy began. Smith was ranked third in the NFL in passer rating (104.1), led the league in completion percentage (70%), and had been 19–5–1 as a starter under Harbaugh, while Kaepernick was considered more dynamic with his scrambling ability and arm strength.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Dodds |first=Eric |title=Examining the 49ers Quarterback Controversy |date=November 28, 2012 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=https://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2012/11/28/examining-the-49ers-quarterback-controversy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130214948/http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2012/11/28/examining-the-49ers-quarterback-controversy/ |archive-date=November 30, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=November 28, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sando |first=Mike |title=Reaching back for 49ers QB parallels |date=November 27, 2012 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/alex-smith |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031215137/http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/alex-smith |archive-date=October 31, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Smith was cleared to play the day before the following game, but Harbaugh chose not to rush him back and again started Kaepernick. Kaepernick won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 15 against the [[2012 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]. He passed for 221 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in the 41–34 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots - December 16th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201212160nwe.htm |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He remained the starter for the rest of the season and led the 49ers to an 11–4–1 record and a berth in the NFL playoffs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sando |first=Mike |title=Victory trumps QB confusion for 49ers |date=November 26, 2012 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/82689/victory-trumps-qb-confusion-for-49ers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126134925/http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/82689/victory-trumps-qb-confusion-for-49ers |archive-date=November 26, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Klemko |first=Robert |title=Kaepernick doesn't disappoint as 49ers defeat Saints |date=November 26, 2012 |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/25/san-francisco-49ers-colin-kaepernick-new-orleans-saints/1726119/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825230422/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/25/san-francisco-49ers-colin-kaepernick-new-orleans-saints/1726119/ |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 25, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Colin Kaepernick to start for 49ers |date=November 28, 2012 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8687095/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-start-qb-st-louis-rams |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201005506/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8687095/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-start-qb-st-louis-rams |archive-date=December 1, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=November 28, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McEvoy |first=Colin |title=The Ultimate Sibling Rivalry: 8 Sets of Brothers Who Faced Off in Sports Championships |work=[[Biography (TV program)|Biography]] |date=February 9, 2023 |url=https://www.biography.com/athletes/a42805051/brothers-who-have-faced-off-in-championships |accessdate=February 12, 2023}}</ref> |
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[[File:Colin Kaepernick in Super Bowl XLVII.jpg|thumb|right|Kaepernick in [[Super Bowl XLVII]]]] |
[[File:Colin Kaepernick in Super Bowl XLVII.jpg|thumb|right|Kaepernick in [[Super Bowl XLVII]]]] |
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In [[2012–13 NFL playoffs|his first career postseason]] start, against the [[2012 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]], Kaepernick had 263 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, one interception and 181 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns as the 49ers defeated the Packers 45–31. With his performance, he set an NFL single-game record for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 181, breaking [[Michael Vick]]'s record of 173 in a 2002 regular season game.<ref name="espn_01122013" /> He also broke the 49ers postseason rushing record, regardless of position and joined [[Jay Cutler]] and [[Otto Graham]] in both as the only players in NFL history to run for two touchdowns and pass for two others in a playoff game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Inman |first=Cam |title=Putting Kaepernick's rushing performance in franchise, league perspective |date=January 12, 2013 |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2013/01/12/putting-kaepernicks-rushing-performance-in-franchise-league-perspective/ |access-date=January 14, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327100203/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2013/01/12/putting-kaepernicks-rushing-performance-in-franchise-league-perspective/ |archive-date=March 27, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="espn_01122013">{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2013 |title=Colin Kaepernick sets QB rushing mark as Niners oust Packers |url= |
In [[2012–13 NFL playoffs|his first career postseason]] start, against the [[2012 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]], Kaepernick had 263 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, one interception and 181 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns as the 49ers defeated the Packers 45–31. With his performance, he set an NFL single-game record for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 181, breaking [[Michael Vick]]'s record of 173 in a 2002 regular season game.<ref name="espn_01122013" /> He also broke the 49ers postseason rushing record, regardless of position and joined [[Jay Cutler]] and [[Otto Graham]] in both as the only players in NFL history to run for two touchdowns and pass for two others in a playoff game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Inman |first=Cam |title=Putting Kaepernick's rushing performance in franchise, league perspective |date=January 12, 2013 |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2013/01/12/putting-kaepernicks-rushing-performance-in-franchise-league-perspective/ |access-date=January 14, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327100203/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2013/01/12/putting-kaepernicks-rushing-performance-in-franchise-league-perspective/ |archive-date=March 27, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="espn_01122013">{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2013 |title=Colin Kaepernick sets QB rushing mark as Niners oust Packers |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=330112025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113132938/http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=330112025 |archive-date=January 13, 2013 |access-date=January 14, 2013 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> In the NFC Championship, the 49ers defeated the [[2012 Atlanta Falcons|Atlanta Falcons]] 28–24 with Kaepernick completing 16-of-21 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201301200atl.htm |title=NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons - January 20th, 2013 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=January 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814021122/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201301200atl.htm |archive-date=August 14, 2017 }}</ref> The team advanced to [[Super Bowl XLVII]] in [[New Orleans]] against the [[2012 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]. Kaepernick threw for 302 yards, one passing touchdown, and ran for a touchdown, but the 49ers fell behind early and could not come back, losing by a score of 34–31.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2013 |title=Ravens overcome power outage, survive rally to win Super Bowl |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=330203025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911163357/http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=330203025 |archive-date=September 11, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He was ranked 81st by his fellow players on the [[NFL Top 100 Players of 2013]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 NFL Top 100 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2013-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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===2013 season=== |
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{{See also|2013 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
{{See also|2013 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
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In the season opener of the [[2013 San Francisco 49ers season|2013 season]] against the [[2013 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]], Kaepernick threw for a career-high 412 yards and three touchdowns, the first 400-yard game by a 49ers quarterback since [[Tim Rattay]] on October 10, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309080sfo.htm |title=Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - September 8th, 2013 |website=Pro |
In the season opener of the [[2013 San Francisco 49ers season|2013 season]] against the [[2013 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]], Kaepernick threw for a career-high 412 yards and three touchdowns, the first 400-yard game by a 49ers quarterback since [[Tim Rattay]] on October 10, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309080sfo.htm |title=Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - September 8th, 2013 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=January 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829080800/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309080sfo.htm |archive-date=August 29, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barber |first=Phil |date=September 9, 2013 |title=Colin Kaepernick leads 49ers past Packers 34-28 |url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/colin-kaepernick-leads-49ers-past-packers-34-28/ |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=Santa Rosa Press Democrat |language=en-US}}</ref> Kaepernick ended the season with 3,197 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, 524 yards rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns and led the 49ers to a 12–4 record and a berth in the NFL playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2013.htm |title=2013 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |access-date=June 28, 2019}}</ref> |
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In the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs#NFC: San Francisco 49ers 23, Green Bay Packers 20|Wild Card Round]], the 49ers played the Green Bay Packers. Kaepernick had 227 passing yards, one passing touchdown, one interception and added 98 rushing yards as the 49ers beat the Packers 23–20. In the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs#NFC: San Francisco 49ers 23, Carolina Panthers 10|Divisional Round]], against the [[2013 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]], Kaepernick had 196 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 15 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown as the 49ers beat the Panthers 23–10. In the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs|NFC Championship Game]], against [[Super Bowl XLVIII|eventual Super Bowl champion]] [[2013 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]], Kaepernick had 153 passing yards, one passing touchdown, two interceptions and rushed for 130 yards as the 49ers lost to the Seahawks 23–17, ending the 49ers' season and attempt to return to the Super Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201401190sea.htm |title=NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks - January 19th, 2014 |website=Pro |
In the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs#NFC: San Francisco 49ers 23, Green Bay Packers 20|Wild Card Round]], the 49ers played the Green Bay Packers. Kaepernick had 227 passing yards, one passing touchdown, one interception and added 98 rushing yards as the 49ers beat the Packers 23–20. In the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs#NFC: San Francisco 49ers 23, Carolina Panthers 10|Divisional Round]], against the [[2013 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]], Kaepernick had 196 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 15 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown as the 49ers beat the Panthers 23–10. In the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs|NFC Championship Game]], against [[Super Bowl XLVIII|eventual Super Bowl champion]] [[2013 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]], Kaepernick had 153 passing yards, one passing touchdown, two interceptions and rushed for 130 yards as the 49ers lost to the Seahawks 23–17, ending the 49ers' season and attempt to return to the Super Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201401190sea.htm |title=NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks - January 19th, 2014 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804014329/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201401190sea.htm |archive-date=August 4, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00/gamelog/2013/ |title=Colin Kaepernick 2013 Game Log |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202052542/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00/gamelog/2013/ |archive-date=December 2, 2017 }}</ref> He was ranked 81st by his fellow players on the [[NFL Top 100 Players of 2014]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL Top 100 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2014-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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===2014 season=== |
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{{See also|2014 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
{{See also|2014 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
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On June 4, Kaepernick signed a six-year contract extension with the 49ers, worth up to $126 million, including $54 million in potential guarantees, and $13 million fully guaranteed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colin Kaepernick Salary cap and Contract page |url=http://www.overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Colin%20Kaepernick&Position=QB&Team=49ers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701032620/http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Colin%20Kaepernick&Position=QB&Team=49ers |archive-date=July 1, 2014 |access-date=August 5, 2014 |website=Over the Cap}}</ref> |
On June 4, Kaepernick signed a six-year contract extension with the 49ers, worth up to $126 million, including $54 million in potential guarantees, and $13 million fully guaranteed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colin Kaepernick Salary cap and Contract page |url=http://www.overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Colin%20Kaepernick&Position=QB&Team=49ers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701032620/http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Colin%20Kaepernick&Position=QB&Team=49ers |archive-date=July 1, 2014 |access-date=August 5, 2014 |website=Over the Cap}}</ref> |
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On September 17, Kaepernick was fined by the NFL for using inappropriate language on the field.<ref>{{cite web |url= |
On September 17, Kaepernick was fined by the NFL for using inappropriate language on the field.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/11543779/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-says-appeal-fine-inappropriate-language |title=Colin Kaepernick fined $11K by NFL |first=Paul |last=Gutierrez |author-link=Paul Gutierrez |website=ESPN.com |date=September 17, 2014 |access-date=October 1, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920020034/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11543779/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-says-appeal-fine-inappropriate-language |archive-date=September 20, 2014 }}</ref> On October 9, he was fined $10,000 by the NFL for appearing at a post-game press conference wearing headphones from [[Beats by Dre]], while the league's headphone sponsor was [[Bose Corporation|Bose]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2014/10/09/6772578/colin-kaepernicks-fine-cancelling.html |title=Colin Kaepernick's fine-canceling headphones |first=Matt |last=Barrows |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |date=October 9, 2014 |access-date=October 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011125203/http://www.sacbee.com/2014/10/09/6772578/colin-kaepernicks-fine-cancelling.html |archive-date=October 11, 2014 }}</ref> In a game against the [[2014 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]], he ran for a 90-yard touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201412200sfo.htm |title=San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers - December 20th, 2014 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=January 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107002619/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201412200sfo.htm |archive-date=November 7, 2017 }}</ref> The 49ers [[2014 San Francisco 49ers season|finished the season 8–8]] and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since [[2010 San Francisco 49ers season|2010]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2014.htm |title=2014 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=January 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120520/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2014.htm |archive-date=January 19, 2018 }}</ref> Kaepernick threw for 3,369 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He rushed for 639 yards and one touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00/gamelog/2014 |title=Colin Kaepernick 2014 Game Log |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=January 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119121718/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00/gamelog/2014 |archive-date=January 19, 2018 }}</ref> Following the season, head coach Jim Harbaugh left to coach the [[Michigan Wolverines football|University of Michigan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Michael |date=December 30, 2014 |title=Jim Harbaugh explains his decision to return to Michigan |url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2014/12/30/jim-harbaugh-michigan-wolverines-head-coach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120119/https://www.si.com/college-football/2014/12/30/jim-harbaugh-michigan-wolverines-head-coach |archive-date=January 19, 2018 |access-date=January 18, 2018 |website=SI.com}}</ref> |
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===2015 season=== |
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{{See also|2015 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
{{See also|2015 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
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In 2015, Kaepernick struggled under new head coach [[Jim Tomsula]]. A day after a 27–6 collapse at [[2015 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis]] in Week 8, Kaepernick lost his starting job to backup [[Blaine Gabbert]] for Week 9 against [[2015 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite web |work=NFL.com |url= |
In 2015, Kaepernick struggled under new head coach [[Jim Tomsula]]. A day after a 27–6 collapse at [[2015 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis]] in Week 8, Kaepernick lost his starting job to backup [[Blaine Gabbert]] for Week 9 against [[2015 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite web |work=NFL.com |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/niners-bench-colin-kaepernick-blaine-gabbert-to-start-0ap3000000572076 |title=Niners bench Colin Kaepernick; Blaine Gabbert to start |first=Chris |last=Wesseling |date=November 2, 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101121451/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000572076/article/niners-bench-colin-kaepernick-blaine-gabbert-to-start |archive-date=January 1, 2016 }}</ref> With Gabbert starting as their new quarterback, the 49ers narrowly won 17–16.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers - November 8th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201511080sfo.htm |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> On November 21, the 49ers announced that Kaepernick would miss the rest of the season because of an injured left [[shoulder]] that required surgery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_29148774/49ers-colin-kaepernick-out-season-shoulder-injury |title=49ers' Colin Kaepernick done for season because of shoulder injury |first=Cam |last=Inman |date=November 21, 2015 |work=San Jose Mercury News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122212708/http://www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_29148774/49ers-colin-kaepernick-out-season-shoulder-injury |archive-date=November 22, 2015 }}</ref> He ended the season with 1,615 yards passing, six passing touchdowns, five interceptions and 256 rushing yards with one rushing touchdown in nine games.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00/gamelog/2015/ |title=Colin Kaepernick 2015 Game Log |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=December 7, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208122338/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00/gamelog/2015/ |archive-date=December 8, 2017 }}</ref> |
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Head coach Tomsula was fired following the season and the 49ers hired [[Chip Kelly]] as his replacement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brinson |first=Will |date=January 14, 2016 |title=49ers hire Chip Kelly as next head coach: 5 things to know |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/49ers-hire-chip-kelly-as-next-head-coach-5-things-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919090304/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/49ers-hire-chip-kelly-as-next-head-coach-5-things-to-know/ |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> In February 2016, Kaepernick expressed an interest in being traded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/2/26/11118806/colin-kaepernick-trade-rumors-49ers-chip-kelly |title=Kaepernick's request doesn't mean he won't stay |last=Brady |first=James |date=February 26, 2016 |website=Niners Nation |access-date=August 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919202704/http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/2/26/11118806/colin-kaepernick-trade-rumors-49ers-chip-kelly |archive-date=September 19, 2016 }}</ref> |
Head coach Tomsula was fired following the season and the 49ers hired [[Chip Kelly]] as his replacement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brinson |first=Will |date=January 14, 2016 |title=49ers hire Chip Kelly as next head coach: 5 things to know |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/49ers-hire-chip-kelly-as-next-head-coach-5-things-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919090304/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/49ers-hire-chip-kelly-as-next-head-coach-5-things-to-know/ |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> In February 2016, Kaepernick expressed an interest in being traded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/2/26/11118806/colin-kaepernick-trade-rumors-49ers-chip-kelly |title=Kaepernick's request doesn't mean he won't stay |last=Brady |first=James |date=February 26, 2016 |website=Niners Nation |access-date=August 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919202704/http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/2/26/11118806/colin-kaepernick-trade-rumors-49ers-chip-kelly |archive-date=September 19, 2016 }}</ref> |
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===2016 season=== |
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{{See also|2016 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
{{See also|2016 San Francisco 49ers season}} |
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Kaepernick was coming off three surgeries entering the [[2016 San Francisco 49ers season|2016 season]],<ref name=gleeson_06292017/> needing operations on his thumb and knee in addition to the season-ending shoulder procedure.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nocera|first=Joe|author-link=Joe Nocera|title=Is It a Risk for the 49ers to Start Colin Kaepernick? Not for Them.|date=October 14, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/15/sports/football/49ers-to-start-colin-kaepernick-contract-injuries.html|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> After having lost weight and muscle mass because of the injuries,<ref>{{cite news |last=Boren |first=Cindy |title=Colin Kaepernick's future might have more to do with football than free speech |date=August 29, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/29/colin-kaepernicks-future-might-have-more-to-do-with-football-than-free-speech/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115123851/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/29/colin-kaepernicks-future-might-have-more-to-do-with-football-than-free-speech/?outputType=amp |archive-date=2019-11-15 |access-date=September 17, 2023}}{{cbignore}}</ref> he competed for the starting quarterback position with Gabbert.<ref>{{Cite web |url= |
Kaepernick was coming off three surgeries entering the [[2016 San Francisco 49ers season|2016 season]],<ref name=gleeson_06292017/> needing operations on his thumb and knee in addition to the season-ending shoulder procedure.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nocera|first=Joe|author-link=Joe Nocera|title=Is It a Risk for the 49ers to Start Colin Kaepernick? Not for Them.|date=October 14, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/15/sports/football/49ers-to-start-colin-kaepernick-contract-injuries.html|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> After having lost weight and muscle mass because of the injuries,<ref>{{cite news |last=Boren |first=Cindy |title=Colin Kaepernick's future might have more to do with football than free speech |date=August 29, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/29/colin-kaepernicks-future-might-have-more-to-do-with-football-than-free-speech/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115123851/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/29/colin-kaepernicks-future-might-have-more-to-do-with-football-than-free-speech/?outputType=amp |archive-date=2019-11-15 |access-date=September 17, 2023}}{{cbignore}}</ref> he competed for the starting quarterback position with Gabbert.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/post/_/id/18885/hard-to-see-how-colin-kaepernick-can-overtake-blaine-gabbert-now |title=Hard to see how Colin Kaepernick can overtake Blaine Gabbert now |last=Wagoner |first=Nick |date=August 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829090543/http://www.espn.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/post/_/id/18885/hard-to-see-how-colin-kaepernick-can-overtake-blaine-gabbert-now |archive-date=August 29, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=August 30, 2016}}</ref> Kelly named Gabbert as the starter to open the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Kaepernick makes roster; Gabbert named starting QB |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/kaepernick-makes-roster-gabbert-named-starting-qb-0ap3000000695093 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907001244/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000695093/article/colin-kaepernick-makes-niners-53man-roster |archive-date=September 7, 2016 |access-date=September 8, 2016 |website=[[NFL.com]]}}</ref> |
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Prior to the 49ers Week 6 game against the [[2016 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]], Kelly announced Kaepernick would start, marking his first start of the season. On October 13, it was announced that he and the 49ers restructured his contract, turning it into a two-year deal with a player option for the next season.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Schefter |first1=Adam |author1-link=Adam Schefter|last2=Caplan |first2=Adam |date=October 12, 2016 |title=Sources: Colin Kaepernick can choose to be free agent after year |url= |
Prior to the 49ers Week 6 game against the [[2016 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]], Kelly announced Kaepernick would start, marking his first start of the season. On October 13, it was announced that he and the 49ers restructured his contract, turning it into a two-year deal with a player option for the next season.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Schefter |first1=Adam |author1-link=Adam Schefter|last2=Caplan |first2=Adam |date=October 12, 2016 |title=Sources: Colin Kaepernick can choose to be free agent after year |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17781311/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-agree-restructure-deal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014103632/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17781311/colin-kaepernick-san-francisco-49ers-agree-restructure-deal |archive-date=October 14, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> He completed 13-of-29 passes, with 187 passing yards, one passing touchdown and 66 rushing yards in the 49ers 45–16 loss to the Buffalo Bills.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400874698 |title=49ers vs. Bills - Box Score - October 16, 2016 - ESPN |website=ESPN.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017014134/http://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400874698 |archive-date=October 17, 2016 }}</ref> On November 27, he recorded 296 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and 113 yards rushing in the 49ers' 31–24 loss to the [[2016 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611270mia.htm |title=San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins - November 27th, 2016 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=January 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120517/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611270mia.htm |archive-date=January 19, 2018 }}</ref> He joined [[Michael Vick]], [[Cam Newton]], [[Randall Cunningham]], and [[Marcus Mariota]] as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to record at least three passing touchdowns and 100 yards rushing in a game. In a Week 13 loss to the [[2016 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]], Kaepernick threw a career-low four yards before getting benched for Gabbert.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612040chi.htm |title=San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears - December 4th, 2016 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=January 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120423/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612040chi.htm |archive-date=January 19, 2018 }}</ref> He returned to the starting lineup the following week and threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers' 41–13 loss to the [[2016 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612180atl.htm |title=San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons - December 18th, 2016 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=January 18, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119121716/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612180atl.htm |archive-date=January 19, 2018 }}</ref> On December 24, Kaepernick recorded 281 total yards, two passing touchdowns, one interception, one rushing touchdown, and a two-point conversion on the game-winning drive as the 49ers beat the [[2016 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]] 22–21 to get their first victory on the season with Kaepernick as the starter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400874575 |title=49ers vs. Rams - Box Score - December 24, 2016 - ESPN |website=ESPN.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225064826/http://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400874575 |archive-date=December 25, 2016 }}</ref> For the 2016 NFL season, Kaepernick played twelve games and ended the season with 2,241 passing yards, sixteen passing touchdowns, four interceptions and added 468 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colin Kaepernick 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Baltimore Ravens could sign QB Colin Kaepernick |url=http://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12118/10964890/baltimore-ravens-could-sign-qb-colin-kaepernick |website=Sky Sports |date=August 13, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814022128/http://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12118/10964890/baltimore-ravens-could-sign-qb-colin-kaepernick |archive-date=August 14, 2017 }}</ref> |
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During the offseason, San Francisco hired [[Kyle Shanahan]] from Atlanta to be their new coach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Zac |date=February 7, 2017 |title=49ers officially hire Kyle Shanahan |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/02/06/49ers-officially-hire-kyle-shanahan/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}</ref> He planned to run the same offense which he ran the previous year with the Falcons, and did not believe that Kaepernick fit the scheme.<ref name=brinson_05312017>{{cite news|last=Brinson|first=Will|title=The 49ers would've cut Colin Kaepernick if he hadn't opted out of his contract|date=May 31, 2017|website=CBSSports.com|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/the-49ers-wouldve-cut-colin-kaepernick-if-he-hadnt-opted-out-of-his-contract/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> The 49ers told Kaepernick that they planned to release him.<ref name=brinson_05312017/><ref name=graziano_11142019/> On March 3, 2017, he opted out of his contract and became a free agent at the start of the 2017 league year on March 9.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/Colin-Kaepernick-Opts-Out-of-Contract-Becomes-a-Free-Agent/55f3952d-1f83-4682-bf97-3c423ab26fa8 |title=Colin Kaepernick Opts Out of Contract, Becomes a Free Agent |last=Fann |first=Joe |date=March 3, 2017 |website=49ers.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317133422/http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/Colin-Kaepernick-Opts-Out-of-Contract-Becomes-a-Free-Agent/55f3952d-1f83-4682-bf97-3c423ab26fa8 |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
During the offseason, San Francisco hired [[Kyle Shanahan]] from Atlanta to be their new coach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Zac |date=February 7, 2017 |title=49ers officially hire Kyle Shanahan |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/02/06/49ers-officially-hire-kyle-shanahan/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}</ref> He planned to run the same offense which he ran the previous year with the Falcons, and did not believe that Kaepernick fit the scheme.<ref name=brinson_05312017>{{cite news|last=Brinson|first=Will|title=The 49ers would've cut Colin Kaepernick if he hadn't opted out of his contract|date=May 31, 2017|website=CBSSports.com|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/the-49ers-wouldve-cut-colin-kaepernick-if-he-hadnt-opted-out-of-his-contract/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> The 49ers told Kaepernick that they planned to release him.<ref name=brinson_05312017/><ref name=graziano_11142019/> On March 3, 2017, he opted out of his contract and became a free agent at the start of the 2017 league year on March 9.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/Colin-Kaepernick-Opts-Out-of-Contract-Becomes-a-Free-Agent/55f3952d-1f83-4682-bf97-3c423ab26fa8 |title=Colin Kaepernick Opts Out of Contract, Becomes a Free Agent |last=Fann |first=Joe |date=March 3, 2017 |website=49ers.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317133422/http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/Colin-Kaepernick-Opts-Out-of-Contract-Becomes-a-Free-Agent/55f3952d-1f83-4682-bf97-3c423ab26fa8 |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Lawsuit against the NFL and potential NFL future=== |
===Lawsuit against the NFL and potential NFL future=== |
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Following his departure from the 49ers in 2016, Kaepernick went unsigned through the off-season and 2017 training camps, leading to allegations that he was being [[Blackballing|blackballed]] because of his on-field political statements as opposed to his performance.<ref name="Slate">{{Cite web |last=Levin |first=Josh |author-link=Josh Levin |date=August 18, 2017 |title=The NFL's Billionaire Owners Are Too Late to Stop Colin Kaepernick |url=https://slate.com/sports/2017/08/colin-kaepernicks-protest-cost-him-his-job-but-started-a-movement.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820060447/https://slate.com/sports/2017/08/colin-kaepernicks-protest-cost-him-his-job-but-started-a-movement.html |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |access-date=August 20, 2017 |website=Slate Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Blackistone |first=Kevin B. |author-link=Kevin Blackistone |date=March 23, 2017 |title=The NFL has effectively blackballed Colin Kaepernick; "What Kaepernick dared to do was spit in the NFL's eye" |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/24/colin-kaepernick-blackballed-nfl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821043647/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/ct-nfl-has-blackballed-colin-kaepernick-20170323-story.html |archive-date=August 21, 2017 |access-date=August 20, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |via=[[The Denver Post]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/nfls-war-colin-kaepernick/ |title=The NFL's War Against Colin Kaepernick |last=Zirin |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Zirin |magazine=[[The Nation]] |access-date=August 20, 2017 |issn=0027-8378 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821010307/https://www.thenation.com/article/nfls-war-colin-kaepernick/ |archive-date=August 21, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=September 17, 2017 |title=Tom Brady on Colin Kaepernick: 'I hope he gets a shot' |url= |
Following his departure from the 49ers in 2016, Kaepernick went unsigned through the off-season and 2017 training camps, leading to allegations that he was being [[Blackballing|blackballed]] because of his on-field political statements as opposed to his performance.<ref name="Slate">{{Cite web |last=Levin |first=Josh |author-link=Josh Levin |date=August 18, 2017 |title=The NFL's Billionaire Owners Are Too Late to Stop Colin Kaepernick |url=https://slate.com/sports/2017/08/colin-kaepernicks-protest-cost-him-his-job-but-started-a-movement.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820060447/https://slate.com/sports/2017/08/colin-kaepernicks-protest-cost-him-his-job-but-started-a-movement.html |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |access-date=August 20, 2017 |website=Slate Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Blackistone |first=Kevin B. |author-link=Kevin Blackistone |date=March 23, 2017 |title=The NFL has effectively blackballed Colin Kaepernick; "What Kaepernick dared to do was spit in the NFL's eye" |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/24/colin-kaepernick-blackballed-nfl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821043647/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/ct-nfl-has-blackballed-colin-kaepernick-20170323-story.html |archive-date=August 21, 2017 |access-date=August 20, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |via=[[The Denver Post]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/nfls-war-colin-kaepernick/ |title=The NFL's War Against Colin Kaepernick |last=Zirin |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Zirin |magazine=[[The Nation]] |access-date=August 20, 2017 |issn=0027-8378 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821010307/https://www.thenation.com/article/nfls-war-colin-kaepernick/ |archive-date=August 21, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=September 17, 2017 |title=Tom Brady on Colin Kaepernick: 'I hope he gets a shot' |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4805833/tom-brady-on-colin-kaepernick-i-hope-he-gets-a-shot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927052456/http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4805833/tom-brady-on-colin-kaepernick-i-hope-he-gets-a-shot |archive-date=September 27, 2017 |access-date=September 26, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/22/trump-nfl-protests-football-243046 |quote=In March, Trump claimed during a rally in Kentucky that Kaepernick's inability to find a new team was due to fear that president would unleash a tweet and therefore a PR crisis on whatever team that signed the Super Bowl XLVII participant. |title=Trump sparks war with NFL – and LeBron |publisher=[[Politico]] |first1=Brent D. |last1=Griffiths |first2=Henry C. |last2=Jackson |date=September 22, 2017 |access-date=September 23, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924054619/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/22/trump-nfl-protests-football-243046 |archive-date=September 24, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Watkins |first=Eli |date=March 21, 2017 |title=Trump credits his Twitter wrath for Kaepernick's unemployment |publisher=[[CNN.com]] |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/20/politics/donald-trump-colin-kaepernick/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924045901/http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/20/politics/donald-trump-colin-kaepernick/index.html |archive-date=September 24, 2017 |quote="It was reported that NFL owners don't want to pick him up because they don't want to get a nasty tweet from Donald Trump," he said. "Do you believe that? I just saw that. I just saw that."}}</ref> The [[Seattle Seahawks]] brought Kaepernick in for a visit in May 2017, but did not work him out or offer a contract.<ref name=kapadia_06022017/><ref name=graziano_11142019/> Seahawks head coach [[Pete Carroll]] said, "He's a starter in this league. And we have a starter. But he's a starter in this league, and I can't imagine that someone won't give him a chance to play."<ref name=kapadia_06022017>{{cite news |author=Kapadia, Sheil |title=Pete Carroll on Colin Kaepernick: Not doing anything yet, but 'he's a starter in this league' |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19523162/pete-carroll-says-seattle-seahawks-not-signing-colin-kaepernick |website=ESPN.com |date=June 2, 2017 |access-date=November 14, 2019}}</ref> The [[Baltimore Ravens]] considered signing Kaepernick as a backup to starting quarterback [[Joe Flacco]] before the 2017 season. According to former Raven [[Ray Lewis]], the team did not go through with this after Kaepernick's girlfriend made comparisons of Ravens owner [[Steve Bisciotti]] to a slave owner, and Lewis his slave, in a tweet;<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2017 |title=Ray Lewis claims Ravens didn't sign Colin Kaepernick after girlfriend's tweet |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/baltimore-ravens/ray-lewis-claims-ravens-didnt-sign-colin-kaepernick-after-girlfriends-tweet |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=RSN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2017 |title=Ray Lewis: Ravens shunned Kaepernick due to 'racist' tweet from girlfriend |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/06/colin-kaepernick-ray-lewis-baltimore-ravens-nessa-diab-nfl |access-date=March 3, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Bisciotti reportedly believed the signing would result in heavy backlash and criticism from the general public,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Jaime C. |date=August 3, 2017 |title=Colin Kaepernick feels the force of conservative NFL fan base |url=http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2017/aug/03/colin-kaepernick-feels-force-conservative-nfl-fan-/ |access-date=April 25, 2019 |website=Amsterdam News}}</ref> a claim that was refuted by the team.<ref>{{cite news |author=Lee, Edward |title=Ravens deny ESPN report claiming Bisciotti has put up 'resistance' to signing Kaepernick |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-ravens-contradict-espn-report-on-colin-kaepernick-20170802-story.html |website=BaltimoreSun.com |date=August 2, 2017 |access-date=November 14, 2019}}</ref> By August 2017, the statistics website [[FiveThirtyEight]] concluded that "it's obvious Kaepernick is being frozen out for his political opinions", calling it "extraordinary... that a player like him can't find a team", based on the observation that "no above-average quarterback has been unemployed nearly as long as Kaepernick this offseason".<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/colin-kaepernick-is-not-supposed-to-be-unemployed/|title=Colin Kaepernick Is Not Supposed To Be Unemployed|last=Wagner|first=Kyle|date=August 9, 2017|work=FiveThirtyEight|access-date=June 6, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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The Seahawks set up another visit and workout with him in April 2018, but the team postponed it indefinitely after he would not say whether he would continue his national anthem protest or not.<ref>{{cite news |author=Schefter, Adam |author-link=Adam Schefter |title=Seahawks postpone visit after Colin Kaepernick won't say if he'll stop kneeling during anthem |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23135580/seattle-seahawks-postpone-visit-colin-kaepernick-say-stop-kneeling-anthem |website=ESPN.com |date=April 12, 2018 |access-date=November 14, 2019}}</ref> |
The Seahawks set up another visit and workout with him in April 2018, but the team postponed it indefinitely after he would not say whether he would continue his national anthem protest or not.<ref>{{cite news |author=Schefter, Adam |author-link=Adam Schefter |title=Seahawks postpone visit after Colin Kaepernick won't say if he'll stop kneeling during anthem |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23135580/seattle-seahawks-postpone-visit-colin-kaepernick-say-stop-kneeling-anthem |website=ESPN.com |date=April 12, 2018 |access-date=November 14, 2019}}</ref> |
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Kaepernick worked out for the [[Las Vegas Raiders]] in May 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Colin Kaepernick has 'positive' workout with Raiders, no deal in place|date=May 27, 2022 |work=[[Fox Sports]] |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/colin-kaepernick-has-positive-workout-with-raiders-no-deal-in-place|access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref> |
Kaepernick worked out for the [[Las Vegas Raiders]] in May 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Colin Kaepernick has 'positive' workout with Raiders, no deal in place|date=May 27, 2022 |work=[[Fox Sports]] |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/colin-kaepernick-has-positive-workout-with-raiders-no-deal-in-place|access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref> |
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In August 2024, Harbaugh, in his first year as the [[Los Angeles Chargers]]' head coach, revealed he had reached out to Kaepernick months prior to offer him a coaching job on the team, but he declined. As the Chargers staff was already complete for [[2024 NFL season|2024]], he would have to join at the start of the [[2025 NFL season|2025 season]] should he change his mind.<ref name="b968">{{cite web | last=Dajani | first=Jordan | title=Chargers' Jim Harbaugh provides clarity on Colin Kaepernick joining coaching staff, says staff is set for 2024 | website=CBSSports.com | date=2024-08-14 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/chargers-jim-harbaugh-provides-clarity-on-colin-kaepernick-joining-coaching-staff-says-staff-is-set-for-2024/ | access-date=2024-09-21}}</ref> |
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==NFL career statistics== |
==NFL career statistics== |
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{{Further|U.S. national anthem protests (2016–present)}} |
{{Further|U.S. national anthem protests (2016–present)}} |
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Leading up to the 2016 season, Kaepernick was active in July on social media with social commentary on the fatal police [[Shooting of Alton Sterling|shootings of Alton Sterling]] and [[Shooting of Philando Castile|Philando Castile]], the police [[shooting of Charles Kinsey]] and the acquittal of police in the [[death of Freddie Gray]].<ref name=walker_08282017/><ref name="nyt_branch" /> In the 49ers third preseason game of the season, reporter [[Steve Wyche]] noticed Kaepernick sitting down during the playing of "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]",<ref name=walker_08282017>{{cite news|first=Rhiannon|last=Walker|title=One Year Later, Steve Wyche Reflects On Breaking The Colin Kaepernick Story|date=August 28, 2017|work=[[Andscape]]|url=https://andscape.com/features/one-year-later-steve-wyche-colin-kaepernick-story/|access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref> as opposed to the tradition of standing.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mathilda |last=Mallinson |title=Why are people taking the knee? The history behind the powerful symbolic gesture |date=June 18, 2020| newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/taking-knee-history-black-lives-matter-a4458816.html |access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref> During a post-game interview, Kaepernick explained his position stating, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that [[Racism in the United States#African Americans|oppresses black people]] and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder", referencing a series of African-American deaths caused by law enforcement that led to the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement and adding that he would continue to protest until he feels like "[the American flag] represents what it's supposed to represent".<ref name="wyche">{{cite web |work=NFL.com |url= |
Leading up to the 2016 season, Kaepernick was active in July on social media with social commentary on the fatal police [[Shooting of Alton Sterling|shootings of Alton Sterling]] and [[Shooting of Philando Castile|Philando Castile]], the police [[shooting of Charles Kinsey]] and the acquittal of police in the [[death of Freddie Gray]].<ref name=walker_08282017/><ref name="nyt_branch" /> In the 49ers third preseason game of the season, reporter [[Steve Wyche]] noticed Kaepernick sitting down during the playing of "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]",<ref name=walker_08282017>{{cite news|first=Rhiannon|last=Walker|title=One Year Later, Steve Wyche Reflects On Breaking The Colin Kaepernick Story|date=August 28, 2017|work=[[Andscape]]|url=https://andscape.com/features/one-year-later-steve-wyche-colin-kaepernick-story/|access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref> as opposed to the tradition of standing.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mathilda |last=Mallinson |title=Why are people taking the knee? The history behind the powerful symbolic gesture |date=June 18, 2020| newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/taking-knee-history-black-lives-matter-a4458816.html |access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref> During a post-game interview, Kaepernick explained his position stating, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that [[Racism in the United States#African Americans|oppresses black people]] and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder", referencing a series of African-American deaths caused by law enforcement that led to the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement and adding that he would continue to protest until he feels like "[the American flag] represents what it's supposed to represent".<ref name="wyche">{{cite web |work=NFL.com |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat-during-national-anthem-0ap3000000691077 |title=Colin Kaepernick explains why he sat during national anthem |first=Steve |last=Wyche |author-link=Steve Wyche |date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=August 27, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827165405/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000691077/article/colin-kaepernick-explains-protest-of-national-anthem |archive-date=August 27, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Fucillo |first=David |date=August 27, 2016 |title=NFL issues statement on Colin Kaepernick not standing during National Anthem |url=http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/8/27/12672566/nfl-statement-colin-kaepernick-national-anthem |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902235214/http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/8/27/12672566/nfl-statement-colin-kaepernick-national-anthem |archive-date=September 2, 2016 |access-date=September 8, 2016 |website=Niners Nation}}</ref> It had gone largely unnoticed that Kaepernick was also sitting during the anthem in the previous two weeks, when he was inactive and not in uniform while recovering from injuries.<ref name=walker_08282017/><ref>{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Holloway|title=Colin Kaepernick's Anthem Protest Set to Draw Attention From NFL Broadcasters|date=August 30, 2016|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/colin-kaepernik-anthem-protest-nfl-broadcasters-1201847048/|access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref> |
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In the 49ers' fourth and final preseason game, Kaepernick kneeled during the U.S. national anthem to show more respect to former and current U.S. military members while still [[protest]]ing during the anthem after having a conversation with former NFL player and U.S. military veteran [[Nate Boyer]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/sports/football/colin-kaepernick-kneels-national-anthem-protest.html |title=This Time, Colin Kaepernick Takes a Stand by Kneeling |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=March 9, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329033230/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/sports/football/colin-kaepernick-kneels-national-anthem-protest.html |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |last1=Witz |first1=Billy }}</ref> After the September 2016 police shootings of [[Shooting of Terence Crutcher|Terence Crutcher]] and [[Shooting of Keith Lamont Scott|Keith Lamont Scott]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Francis |date=September 21, 2016 |title=Silence From Kaepernick Critics Speaks Volumes |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/entry/57e2f47fe4b05d3737be53de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923064107/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/57e2f47fe4b05d3737be53de |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=September 21, 2016 |website=The Huffington Post}}</ref> Kaepernick commented publicly on the shootings saying, "this is a perfect example of what this is about".<ref name="deaththreats">{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2016 |title=US: Colin Kaepernick says he has received death threats |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/nfl-kaepernick-received-death-threats-160921152934415.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922124538/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/nfl-kaepernick-received-death-threats-160921152934415.html |archive-date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> Photos then surfaced of him wearing socks depicting police officers as pigs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breech |first=John |date=August 31, 2016 |title=Colin Kaepernick's practice socks appear to disrespect the police |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/look-colin-kaepernicks-practice-socks-appear-to-disrespect-the-police/ |access-date=September 1, 2016 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Emery |first1=David |author-link=David Emery (sports journalist) |title=Colin Kaepernick Wore Socks Depicting Police as Pigs |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/colin-kaepernick-socks/ |website=Snopes:Sports |date=September 2016 |access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> In a statement, he acknowledged wearing them as a statement against "rogue cops". He maintained that he has friends/family in law enforcement and that there are cops with "good intentions" who protect and serve and he was not targeting all police.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brinson |first=Will |date=September 1, 2016 |title=Colin Kaepernick explains why he wore socks with police pigs on them: He was making a statement |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-wore-socks-with-police-pigs-on-them/ |access-date=September 1, 2016 |website=CBS Sports}}</ref> Kaepernick went on to kneel during the anthem prior to every 49ers game that season.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} |
In the 49ers' fourth and final preseason game, Kaepernick kneeled during the U.S. national anthem to show more respect to former and current U.S. military members while still [[protest]]ing during the anthem after having a conversation with former NFL player and U.S. military veteran [[Nate Boyer]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/sports/football/colin-kaepernick-kneels-national-anthem-protest.html |title=This Time, Colin Kaepernick Takes a Stand by Kneeling |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=March 9, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329033230/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/sports/football/colin-kaepernick-kneels-national-anthem-protest.html |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |last1=Witz |first1=Billy }}</ref> After the September 2016 police shootings of [[Shooting of Terence Crutcher|Terence Crutcher]] and [[Shooting of Keith Lamont Scott|Keith Lamont Scott]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Francis |date=September 21, 2016 |title=Silence From Kaepernick Critics Speaks Volumes |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/entry/57e2f47fe4b05d3737be53de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923064107/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/57e2f47fe4b05d3737be53de |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=September 21, 2016 |website=The Huffington Post}}</ref> Kaepernick commented publicly on the shootings saying, "this is a perfect example of what this is about".<ref name="deaththreats">{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2016 |title=US: Colin Kaepernick says he has received death threats |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/nfl-kaepernick-received-death-threats-160921152934415.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922124538/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/nfl-kaepernick-received-death-threats-160921152934415.html |archive-date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> Photos then surfaced of him wearing socks depicting police officers as pigs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breech |first=John |date=August 31, 2016 |title=Colin Kaepernick's practice socks appear to disrespect the police |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/look-colin-kaepernicks-practice-socks-appear-to-disrespect-the-police/ |access-date=September 1, 2016 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Emery |first1=David |author-link=David Emery (sports journalist) |title=Colin Kaepernick Wore Socks Depicting Police as Pigs |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/colin-kaepernick-socks/ |website=Snopes:Sports |date=September 2016 |access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> In a statement, he acknowledged wearing them as a statement against "rogue cops". He maintained that he has friends/family in law enforcement and that there are cops with "good intentions" who protect and serve and he was not targeting all police.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brinson |first=Will |date=September 1, 2016 |title=Colin Kaepernick explains why he wore socks with police pigs on them: He was making a statement |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-wore-socks-with-police-pigs-on-them/ |access-date=September 1, 2016 |website=CBS Sports}}</ref> Kaepernick went on to kneel during the anthem prior to every 49ers game that season.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} |
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After initial backlash against his protests, Kaepernick pledged to donate $1 million to "organizations working in oppressed communities".<ref>{{cite news|last=Peter|first=Josh|title=Colin Kaepernick: I'm not anti-American, will donate $1 million|date=September 1, 2016|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/49ers/2016/09/01/colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-protest-police-socks/89743344/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kaepernick7.com/million-dollar-pledge/ |title=Million Dollar Pledge |website=kaepernick7.com|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114104130/http://kaepernick7.com/million-dollar-pledge/ |archive-date=November 14, 2017 }}</ref> He donated $25,000 to the Mothers Against Police Brutality organization that was started by Collette Flanagan, whose son fell victim to police brutality.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Greg |date=December 11, 2017 |title=The KAP EFFECT |url=https://www.si.com/vault/2017/12/05/kap-effect |access-date=April 25, 2019 |website=SI.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, Kaepernick announced that he would make the final $100,000 donation of his "Million Dollar Pledge" in the form of $10,000 donations to charities that would be matched by celebrities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Carron J. |date=January 17, 2018 |title=Kaepernick announces celebrity friends to match 10 $10G donations |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/kaepernick-announces-celebrity-friends-match-10-10g-donations-article-1.3762231 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117220425/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/kaepernick-announces-celebrity-friends-match-10-10g-donations-article-1.3762231 |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |access-date=January 17, 2018 |website=NY Daily News}}</ref> |
After initial backlash against his protests, Kaepernick pledged to donate $1 million to "organizations working in oppressed communities".<ref>{{cite news|last=Peter|first=Josh|title=Colin Kaepernick: I'm not anti-American, will donate $1 million|date=September 1, 2016|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/49ers/2016/09/01/colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-protest-police-socks/89743344/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kaepernick7.com/million-dollar-pledge/ |title=Million Dollar Pledge |website=kaepernick7.com|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114104130/http://kaepernick7.com/million-dollar-pledge/ |archive-date=November 14, 2017 }}</ref> He donated $25,000 to the Mothers Against Police Brutality organization that was started by Collette Flanagan, whose son fell victim to police brutality.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Greg |date=December 11, 2017 |title=The KAP EFFECT |url=https://www.si.com/vault/2017/12/05/kap-effect |access-date=April 25, 2019 |website=SI.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, Kaepernick announced that he would make the final $100,000 donation of his "Million Dollar Pledge" in the form of $10,000 donations to charities that would be matched by celebrities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Carron J. |date=January 17, 2018 |title=Kaepernick announces celebrity friends to match 10 $10G donations |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/kaepernick-announces-celebrity-friends-match-10-10g-donations-article-1.3762231 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117220425/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/kaepernick-announces-celebrity-friends-match-10-10g-donations-article-1.3762231 |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |access-date=January 17, 2018 |website=NY Daily News}}</ref> |
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Inspired by Kaepernick, other NFL players and pro athletes conducted various forms of silent protests during the national anthem.<ref name=graziano_11142019>{{cite news|last=Graziano|first=Dan|title=Colin Kaepernick's NFL workout: Why it's happening now, what's next|date=November 14, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://global.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28072048/colin-kaepernick-nfl-workout-why-happening-now-next|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0"/> His San Francisco teammates awarded him the team's Len Eshmont Award, as the player who best epitomized the inspirational and courageous play of former 49er [[Len Eshmont]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Payne|first=Marissa|title=Colin Kaepernick's 49ers teammates vote to give him prestigious award|date=December 31, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/12/30/colin-kaepernicks-49ers-teammates-vote-to-give-him-prestigious-award/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2016 |title=49ers Announce 2016 Team Award Recipients |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-announce-2016-team-award-recipients-18364498 |access-date=November 15, 2019 |website=San Francisco 49ers}}</ref> Then-49ers head coach Chip Kelly later said that Kaepernick was "zero distraction" that season.<ref name=gleeson_06292017>{{cite news|last=Gleeson|first=Scott|title=Chip Kelly defends Colin Kaepernick, says former 49ers QB was 'zero distraction' in 2016|date=June 29, 2017|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/06/29/chip-kelly-defends-colin-kaepernick-49-ers-qb-zero-distraction/439047001/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bieler|first=Des|title=Colin Kaepernick agent pushes back on 'false narratives' while affirming QB's desire to play|date=October 11, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/10/11/colin-kaepernick-agent-pushes-back-false-narratives-while-affirming-qbs-desire-play/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> |
Inspired by Kaepernick, other NFL players and pro athletes conducted various forms of silent protests during the national anthem.<ref name=graziano_11142019>{{cite news|last=Graziano|first=Dan|title=Colin Kaepernick's NFL workout: Why it's happening now, what's next|date=November 14, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://global.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28072048/colin-kaepernick-nfl-workout-why-happening-now-next|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0"/> His San Francisco teammates awarded him the team's [[Len Eshmont Award]], as the player who best epitomized the inspirational and courageous play of former 49er [[Len Eshmont]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Payne|first=Marissa|title=Colin Kaepernick's 49ers teammates vote to give him prestigious award|date=December 31, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/12/30/colin-kaepernicks-49ers-teammates-vote-to-give-him-prestigious-award/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2016 |title=49ers Announce 2016 Team Award Recipients |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-announce-2016-team-award-recipients-18364498 |access-date=November 15, 2019 |website=San Francisco 49ers}}</ref> Then-49ers head coach Chip Kelly later said that Kaepernick was "zero distraction" that season.<ref name=gleeson_06292017>{{cite news|last=Gleeson|first=Scott|title=Chip Kelly defends Colin Kaepernick, says former 49ers QB was 'zero distraction' in 2016|date=June 29, 2017|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/06/29/chip-kelly-defends-colin-kaepernick-49-ers-qb-zero-distraction/439047001/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bieler|first=Des|title=Colin Kaepernick agent pushes back on 'false narratives' while affirming QB's desire to play|date=October 11, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/10/11/colin-kaepernick-agent-pushes-back-false-narratives-while-affirming-qbs-desire-play/|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> |
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Also in 2016, Kaepernick and his partner [[Nessa]] founded the "Know Your Rights Camp", an organization which held free seminars to disadvantaged youths to teach them about self-empowerment, American history, and legal rights.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2016 |title=Colin Kaepernick hosts 'Know Your Rights' camp for Oakland-area youth |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17918655/san-francisco-49ers-qb-colin-kaepernick-hosts-know-your-rights-camp-oakland-area-youth |access-date=November 14, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> In April 2020, the Know Your Rights Camp launched a relief fund for individuals impacted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsone.com/3929802/colin-kaepernick-donates-100000-to-know-your-rights-camp-coronavirus-relief-fund/|title=Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp Launches COVID-19 Relief Fund|date=April 18, 2020|website=NewsOne|language=en|access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> Kaepernick donated $100,000 to the fund.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/17/us/colin-kaepernick-coronavirus-donation-spt-trnd/index.html|title=Colin Kaepernick is donating $100,000 to coronavirus relief efforts to aid communities of color|first=Christina |last=Maxouris|website=CNN|date=April 17, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> |
Also in 2016, Kaepernick and his partner [[Nessa]] founded the "Know Your Rights Camp", an organization which held free seminars to disadvantaged youths to teach them about self-empowerment, American history, and legal rights.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2016 |title=Colin Kaepernick hosts 'Know Your Rights' camp for Oakland-area youth |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17918655/san-francisco-49ers-qb-colin-kaepernick-hosts-know-your-rights-camp-oakland-area-youth |access-date=November 14, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> In April 2020, the Know Your Rights Camp launched a relief fund for individuals impacted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsone.com/3929802/colin-kaepernick-donates-100000-to-know-your-rights-camp-coronavirus-relief-fund/|title=Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp Launches COVID-19 Relief Fund|date=April 18, 2020|website=NewsOne|language=en|access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> Kaepernick donated $100,000 to the fund.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/17/us/colin-kaepernick-coronavirus-donation-spt-trnd/index.html|title=Colin Kaepernick is donating $100,000 to coronavirus relief efforts to aid communities of color|first=Christina |last=Maxouris|website=CNN|date=April 17, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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[[File:Carmelo Anthony and Colin Kaepernick at the New York Liberty-Las Vegas Aces WNBA game, October 1, 2024.jpg|alt=Colin Kaepernick poses with Carmelo Anthony after a New York Liberty/Las Vegas Aces WNBA Semifinals game, October 1, 2024|left|thumb|Colin Kaepernick poses with [[Carmelo Anthony]] after a New York Liberty/Las Vegas Aces [[WNBA]] Semifinals game, October 1, 2024]] |
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Kaepernick was [[baptized]] [[Methodist]], [[Confirmation|confirmed]] [[Lutheran]], and attended a [[Baptist]] church during his college years.<ref name="Saracevic">{{cite news |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/11/30/kaepernick-sparks-tattoo-controversy/ |title=Kaepernick sparks tattoo controversy |last=Saracevic |first=Al |date=November 30, 2012 |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle|SFGate]] |access-date=February 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204141427/http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/11/30/kaepernick-sparks-tattoo-controversy/|archive-date=December 4, 2012 }}</ref> Kaepernick spoke about his faith saying, "I think [[God]] guides me through every day and helps me take the right steps and has helped me to get to where I'm at."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tromerhauser |first=Damian |date=January 16, 2013 |title=Faith Based: Former Nevada standout speaks at local church about life, athletics |url=http://www.dailysparkstribune.com/view/full_story/17328970/article-Faith-Based--Former-Nevada-standout-speaks-at-local-church-about-life--athletics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116182805/http://www.dailysparkstribune.com/view/full_story/17328970/article-Faith-Based--Former-Nevada-standout-speaks-at-local-church-about-life--athletics |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |website=Daily Sparks Tribune}}</ref> Kaepernick has multiple tattoos about his faith. His right arm features a scroll with the Bible verse [[Psalm 18]]:39 written on it. Tattooed under the scroll are praying hands with the phrase "To God The Glory" written on them. To the left of both the scroll and praying hands is the word "Faith" written vertically. His left arm features a Christian cross with the words "Heaven Sent" on it referring to [[Jesus Christ]]. Written above and below the cross is the phrase "God Will Guide Me". Written to the left and right of the cross is the Bible verse [[Psalm 27]]:3.<ref name="mercurynews.com">{{Cite web |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=January 25, 2013 |title=Super Bowl 2013: Colin Kaepernick's tattoos more than skin deep |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_22450929/super-bowl-2013-colin-kaepernicks-tattoos-more-than |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103122807/http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_22450929/super-bowl-2013-colin-kaepernicks-tattoos-more-than |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |access-date=October 20, 2019 |website=Mercury News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=King |first=Peter |author-link=Peter King (sportswriter) |date=July 23, 2013 |title=Colin Kaepernick Does Not Care What You Think About His Tattoos |url=http://mmqb.si.com/2013/07/23/colin-kaepernick-49ers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103165736/http://mmqb.si.com/2013/07/23/colin-kaepernick-49ers/ |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |access-date=October 20, 2019 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= |
Kaepernick was [[baptized]] [[Methodist]], [[Confirmation|confirmed]] [[Lutheran]], and attended a [[Baptist]] church during his college years.<ref name="Saracevic">{{cite news |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/11/30/kaepernick-sparks-tattoo-controversy/ |title=Kaepernick sparks tattoo controversy |last=Saracevic |first=Al |date=November 30, 2012 |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle|SFGate]] |access-date=February 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204141427/http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/11/30/kaepernick-sparks-tattoo-controversy/|archive-date=December 4, 2012 }}</ref> Kaepernick spoke about his faith saying, "I think [[God]] guides me through every day and helps me take the right steps and has helped me to get to where I'm at."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tromerhauser |first=Damian |date=January 16, 2013 |title=Faith Based: Former Nevada standout speaks at local church about life, athletics |url=http://www.dailysparkstribune.com/view/full_story/17328970/article-Faith-Based--Former-Nevada-standout-speaks-at-local-church-about-life--athletics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116182805/http://www.dailysparkstribune.com/view/full_story/17328970/article-Faith-Based--Former-Nevada-standout-speaks-at-local-church-about-life--athletics |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |website=Daily Sparks Tribune}}</ref> Kaepernick has multiple tattoos about his faith. His right arm features a scroll with the Bible verse [[Psalm 18]]:39 written on it. Tattooed under the scroll are praying hands with the phrase "To God The Glory" written on them. To the left of both the scroll and praying hands is the word "Faith" written vertically. His left arm features a Christian cross with the words "Heaven Sent" on it referring to [[Jesus Christ]]. Written above and below the cross is the phrase "God Will Guide Me". Written to the left and right of the cross is the Bible verse [[Psalm 27]]:3.<ref name="mercurynews.com">{{Cite web |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=January 25, 2013 |title=Super Bowl 2013: Colin Kaepernick's tattoos more than skin deep |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_22450929/super-bowl-2013-colin-kaepernicks-tattoos-more-than |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103122807/http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_22450929/super-bowl-2013-colin-kaepernicks-tattoos-more-than |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |access-date=October 20, 2019 |website=Mercury News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=King |first=Peter |author-link=Peter King (sportswriter) |date=July 23, 2013 |title=Colin Kaepernick Does Not Care What You Think About His Tattoos |url=http://mmqb.si.com/2013/07/23/colin-kaepernick-49ers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103165736/http://mmqb.si.com/2013/07/23/colin-kaepernick-49ers/ |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |access-date=October 20, 2019 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/colin-kaepernick-shows-off-his-post-super-bowl-tattoos-0ap1000000137423 |title=Colin Kaepernick shows off his post-Super Bowl tattoos |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103204755/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000137423/article/colin-kaepernick-shows-off-his-postsuper-bowl-tattoos |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |first1=Marc|last1=Sessler|website=[[NFL.com]] |date=February 8, 2013|access-date=October 20, 2019}}</ref> |
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Kaepernick reportedly started dating radio personality and television host [[Nessa|Nessa Diab]] in July 2015,<ref>{{cite news |title=Kaepernick social media posts laud Black Lives Matter, Black Panthers since dating activist DJ |url= |
Kaepernick reportedly started dating radio personality and television host [[Nessa|Nessa Diab]] in July 2015,<ref>{{cite news |title=Kaepernick social media posts laud Black Lives Matter, Black Panthers since dating activist DJ |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/kaepernick-social-media-posts-laud-black-lives-matter-black-panthers-since-dating-activist-dj |access-date=September 21, 2016 |work=Fox News |date=August 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914045516/http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2016/08/30/kaepernick-social-media-posts-laud-black-lives-matter-black-panthers-since-dating-activist-dj.html |archive-date=September 14, 2016 }}</ref> and officially went public about their relationship in February 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and MTV's Nessa go public with relationship |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_29526723/49ers-quarterback-colin-kaepernick-and-mtvs-nessa-go |access-date=September 1, 2016 |work=San Jose Mercury News |agency=Bay Area News Group |date=February 17, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901203947/http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_29526723/49ers-quarterback-colin-kaepernick-and-mtvs-nessa-go |archive-date=September 1, 2016 }}</ref> Their child was born in August 2022.<ref>{{cite web | last=Truffaut-Wong | first=Olivia | title=Colin Kaepernick and Nessa Diab Welcome Their First Child | website=[[New York (magazine)#The Cut|The Cut]] | date=August 29, 2022 | url=https://www.thecut.com/2022/08/colin-kaepernick-nessa-diab-first-child-baby-announcement.html | access-date=August 30, 2022}}</ref> |
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Kaepernick began following a [[vegan]] diet in late 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maiocco |first1=Matt |author-link=Matt Maiocco |title=Kaepernick: Weight loss not due to vegan diet |url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/kaepernick-weight-loss-not-due-vegan-diet |website=CSN Bay Area |access-date=September 28, 2016 |date=August 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924083755/http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/kaepernick-weight-loss-not-due-vegan-diet |archive-date=September 24, 2016 }}</ref> |
Kaepernick began following a [[vegan]] diet in late 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maiocco |first1=Matt |author-link=Matt Maiocco |title=Kaepernick: Weight loss not due to vegan diet |url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/kaepernick-weight-loss-not-due-vegan-diet |website=CSN Bay Area |access-date=September 28, 2016 |date=August 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924083755/http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/kaepernick-weight-loss-not-due-vegan-diet |archive-date=September 24, 2016 }}</ref> |
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*2017 American Civil Liberties Union Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Jill |date=December 4, 2017 |title=Colin Kaepernick honored with ACLU award |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/04/sport/colin-kaepernick-honored-with-aclu-award/index.html |access-date=October 20, 2019 |website=[[CNN.com]]}}</ref> |
*2017 American Civil Liberties Union Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Jill |date=December 4, 2017 |title=Colin Kaepernick honored with ACLU award |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/04/sport/colin-kaepernick-honored-with-aclu-award/index.html |access-date=October 20, 2019 |website=[[CNN.com]]}}</ref> |
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*2017 [[Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship]] honoree<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puffinfoundation.org/projects/puffin-nation-award-for-creative-citizenship/2017-honoree-colin-kaepernick.html|title=2017 Honoree, Colin Kaepernick|access-date=October 20, 2019|website=puffinfoundation.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505153243/http://www.puffinfoundation.org/projects/puffin-nation-award-for-creative-citizenship/2017-honoree-colin-kaepernick.html|archive-date=May 5, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
*2017 [[Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship]] honoree<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puffinfoundation.org/projects/puffin-nation-award-for-creative-citizenship/2017-honoree-colin-kaepernick.html|title=2017 Honoree, Colin Kaepernick|access-date=October 20, 2019|website=puffinfoundation.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505153243/http://www.puffinfoundation.org/projects/puffin-nation-award-for-creative-citizenship/2017-honoree-colin-kaepernick.html|archive-date=May 5, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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*2018 [[Amnesty International]] Ambassador of Conscience Award<ref>{{Cite |
*2018 [[Amnesty International]] Ambassador of Conscience Award<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gregory |first=Sean |date=April 21, 2018 |title=Colin Kaepernick Wins Amnesty International's Highest Honor |url=https://time.com/5248606/colin-kaepernick-wins-amnesty-internationals-ambassador-of-conscience-award/ |access-date=March 2, 2023 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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*2018 [[Harvard University]] [[W. E. B. Du Bois]] Medal<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2018 |title=Kaepernick and Chappelle among eight Du Bois medalists at Harvard |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/09/kaepernick-and-chappelle-among-eight-du-bois-medalists-at-harvard/ |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=[[Harvard University#Harvard University Gazette|Harvard Gazette]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Wagaman|first=Connor|date=October 12, 2018|title=Kaepernick, Chappelle, Stevenson Receive W.E.B. Du Bois Medals in an Overflowing Sanders|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/10/12/web-du-bois-awards/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808184901/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/10/12/web-du-bois-awards/|archive-date=August 8, 2020|access-date=May 13, 2021|website=[[The Harvard Crimson]]}}</ref> |
*2018 [[Harvard University]] [[W. E. B. Du Bois]] Medal<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2018 |title=Kaepernick and Chappelle among eight Du Bois medalists at Harvard |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/09/kaepernick-and-chappelle-among-eight-du-bois-medalists-at-harvard/ |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=[[Harvard University#Harvard University Gazette|Harvard Gazette]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Wagaman|first=Connor|date=October 12, 2018|title=Kaepernick, Chappelle, Stevenson Receive W.E.B. Du Bois Medals in an Overflowing Sanders|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/10/12/web-du-bois-awards/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808184901/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/10/12/web-du-bois-awards/|archive-date=August 8, 2020|access-date=May 13, 2021|website=[[The Harvard Crimson]]}}</ref> |
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*2020 [[Ripple of Hope Award]] from the [[Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights]]<ref name="CBS News 2020">{{Cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Caitlin |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Dr. Fauci and Colin Kaepernick to receive award for "commitment to social change" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-fauci-colin-kaepernick-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-award/ |access-date=December 11, 2020 |website=CBS News}}</ref> |
*2020 [[Ripple of Hope Award]] from the [[Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights]]<ref name="CBS News 2020">{{Cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Caitlin |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Dr. Fauci and Colin Kaepernick to receive award for "commitment to social change" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-fauci-colin-kaepernick-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-award/ |access-date=December 11, 2020 |website=CBS News}}</ref> |
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* {{Official website|http://www.kaepernick7.com}} |
* {{Official website|http://www.kaepernick7.com}} |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110513073945/http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Colin-Kaepernick/3cd88f8f-8836-400f-9fa4-c6a65736c4d7 San Francisco 49ers profile] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110513073945/http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Colin-Kaepernick/3cd88f8f-8836-400f-9fa4-c6a65736c4d7 San Francisco 49ers profile] |
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* {{Footballstats |nfl=2495186 |espn=14001 |pfr=K/KaepCo00 }} |
* {{Footballstats |nfl=2495186 |espn=14001|yahoo=24823 |pfr=K/KaepCo00 }} |
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* [https:// |
* [https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/14001/colin-kaepernick ESPN.com college profile] |
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{{Nevada Wolf Pack quarterback navbox}} |
{{Nevada Wolf Pack quarterback navbox}} |
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[[Category:African-American activists]] |
[[Category:African-American activists]] |
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[[Category:African American adoptees]] |
[[Category:African American adoptees]] |
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[[Category:21st-century African-American |
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]] |
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Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
Born: | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | November 3, 1987||||||||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||||||
Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||
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High school: | Pitman (Turlock, California) | ||||||||||||||||||
College: | Nevada (2006–2010) | ||||||||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 2011 / round: 2 / pick: 36 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Colin Rand Kaepernick (/ˈkæpərnɪk/ KAP-ər-nik;[1] born November 3, 1987) is an American civil rights activist and former professional football quarterback. He played six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL). In 2016, he knelt during the national anthem at the start of NFL games in protest of police brutality and racial inequality in the United States.[2][3][4]
Kaepernick played college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack, where he was named the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Offensive Player of the Year twice and became the only player in NCAA Division I history to amass 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in a career. After graduating, he was selected by the 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. Kaepernick began his professional football career as a backup quarterback to Alex Smith, and became the 49ers' starter in the middle of the 2012 season after Smith suffered a concussion. He then remained the team's starting quarterback for the rest of the season, leading the team to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1994. During the 2013 season, his first full season as a starter, Kaepernick helped the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game. Over the next three seasons, Kaepernick lost and won back his starting quarterback job, with the 49ers missing the playoffs for three seasons.
In the 49ers' third preseason game in 2016, Kaepernick sat during the playing of the U.S. national anthem prior to the game, rather than stand as is customary, as a protest against racial injustice, police brutality and oppression in the country.[5][6] The following week, and throughout the regular season, Kaepernick kneeled during the anthem. The protests received highly polarized reactions, with some praising his protests and others denouncing the protests. The actions resulted in a wider protest movement, which intensified in September 2017 after President Donald Trump said that NFL owners should "fire" players who protest during the national anthem.[7][8] Kaepernick became a free agent after the season and remained unsigned, which numerous analysts and observers have attributed to political reasons.[9] In November 2017, he filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners, accusing them of collusion in keeping him out of the league. In August 2018, arbitrator Stephen B. Burbank rejected the NFL's request to dismiss the case.[10][11][12] Kaepernick withdrew the grievance in February 2019 after reaching a confidential settlement with the NFL. His protests received renewed attention in 2020 amid the George Floyd protests against police brutality and racism, but he remains unsigned by any professional football team.
Early life
Kaepernick was born in 1987 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to 19-year-old Heidi Russo, who is a white American.[13][14] His birth father, who is a black American (of Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Ivorian ancestry) and whose identity is unknown,[15] separated from Russo before Kaepernick was born.[16][17][18] Russo placed Kaepernick up for adoption and at 5 weeks old he was placed with a white couple named Rick and Teresa Kaepernick.[19] The couple had two biological children: son Kyle and daughter Devon. The Kaepernicks decided to adopt a boy after losing two other sons to heart defects.[16][20][21]
Kaepernick lived in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, until age four, when his family moved to California.[22][23] When he was eight years old, Kaepernick began playing youth football as a defensive end and punter. At age nine, he was the starting quarterback on his youth team, and he completed his first pass for a long touchdown.[22] A 4.0 GPA student[24] at John H. Pitman High School in Turlock, California, Kaepernick played football, basketball and baseball and was nominated for all-state selection in all three sports his senior year.[25] In his senior year, he was the most valuable player (MVP) of the Central California Conference in football.[26][27] In basketball, he was a first-team All-CCC selection at forward and led his 16th-ranked team to a near upset of No. 1-ranked Oak Ridge High School in the opening round of the playoffs. In that game, Kaepernick scored 34 points, but future NBA player Ryan Anderson of Oak Ridge scored 50 points to lead his team to a victory.[28]
College career
Kaepernick received most of his high school accolades as a baseball pitcher.[29] He received several scholarship offers in that sport, but he wanted to play college football.[22] The University of Nevada, Reno was the only college to offer him a football scholarship, and Kaepernick signed with Nevada in February 2006.[23]
Kaepernick started his college career in 2007 with the Wolf Pack as a back-up quarterback, playing in 11 of the team's 13 games. He finished the season with 19 passing touchdowns, three interceptions and 2,175 passing yards, garnering a 53.8% completion percentage. Kaepernick also added 593 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns as Nevada finished 6–7.[30][31]
As a sophomore, Kaepernick recorded 2,849 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions, 1,130 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.[32] He became just the sixth player in NCAA history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 or more yards in a single season.[33] At the Humanitarian Bowl, he had 370 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, two interceptions, 15 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, earning the game's MVP award despite his team losing the game.[34] At the conclusion of the game, Kaepernick was designated the WAC Offensive Player of the Year.[35] He was the first sophomore to win this award since Marshall Faulk of San Diego State did in 1992.[36]
In the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, Kaepernick was selected in the 43rd round by the Chicago Cubs.[37] He decided that he wanted to continue to play football at the University of Nevada and did not sign with the Cubs.[38]
Kaepernick finished his junior season with 2,052 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, six interceptions 1,183 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.[39] Kaepernick led the Wolf Pack to an 8–5 record and a second-place finish in the WAC behind undefeated Boise State.[40] He was named second-team All-WAC quarterback for the season.
On November 26, 2010, Kaepernick led his team to a 34–31 overtime victory against the previously undefeated Boise State Broncos, snapping their 24-game win streak that had dated back to the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl.[41] This game was played on Nevada's senior night, the final home game for Kaepernick. Nevada Head Coach Chris Ault would later call this game the "most important win in program history".[citation needed]
Kaepernick ended his senior season with 3,022 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, 1,206 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.[42] He joined Florida's Tim Tebow as the second quarterback in FBS history to have 20 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns in the same season.[43] Nevada claimed a share of the WAC title after defeating Louisiana Tech. Kaepernick was named WAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year with Kellen Moore, who had won the award in 2009.[44]
Kaepernick finished his collegiate career with 10,098 passing yards, 82 passing touchdowns, 24 interceptions, 4,112 rushing yards and 59 rushing touchdowns.[45] He became the first quarterback in the history of Division I FBS college football to have passed for over 10,000 yards and rushed for over 4,000 yards in a collegiate career, a feat that has not been duplicated.[46] He also tied former Nebraska quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in FBS history.[47]
Kaepernick maintained a 4.0 grade point average during his college years and graduated in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in business management.[48] After his senior season, Kaepernick was eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft.
College statistics
Season | Team | GP | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||||
2006 | Nevada | Redshirt | |||||||||||||
2007 | Nevada | 11 | 133 | 247 | 53.8 | 2,175 | 19 | 3 | 150.8 | 105 | 593 | 5.6 | 6 | ||
2008 | Nevada | 13 | 208 | 383 | 54.3 | 2,849 | 22 | 7 | 132.1 | 161 | 1,130 | 7.0 | 17 | ||
2009 | Nevada | 13 | 166 | 282 | 58.9 | 2,052 | 20 | 6 | 139.1 | 161 | 1,183 | 7.3 | 16 | ||
2010 | Nevada | 14 | 233 | 359 | 64.9 | 3,022 | 21 | 8 | 150.5 | 173 | 1,206 | 7.0 | 20 | ||
Career | 51 | 740 | 1,271 | 58.2 | 10,098 | 82 | 24 | 142.5 | 600 | 4,112 | 6.9 | 59 |
Professional career
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 4+5⁄8 in (1.95 m) |
233 lb (106 kg) |
33+1⁄2 in (0.85 m) |
9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) |
4.63 s | 1.63 s | 2.71 s | 4.18 s | 6.85 s | 32.5 in (0.83 m) |
9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) | ||
All values from NFL Combine[49][50] |
2011 season
On April 29, 2011, the San Francisco 49ers traded up with the Denver Broncos from the thirteenth pick in the second round (45th overall) to select Kaepernick as the fourth pick in the second round (36th overall) at the 2011 NFL draft. The Broncos received picks 45, 108, and 141 overall in exchange for the 36th overall pick.[51]
Kaepernick spent the 2011 season as backup to Alex Smith and attempted just five passes in three games during the season.[52]
2012 season
In 2012, Kaepernick was initially used sparingly to run certain plays. He scored his first career touchdown in the team's fourth game when he scored on a seven-yard run against the New York Jets.[53][54] In Week 10, against the St. Louis Rams, Kaepernick replaced Smith in the second half of the game after he suffered a concussion in the first half. Kaepernick completed eleven of seventeen passes for 117 yards and added 66 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown as the 49ers and the Rams ended the game in a 24–24 tie.[55] He got his first NFL start the next game on November 19, during a Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears at Candlestick Park.[56] Kaepernick completed 16-of-23 for 246 yards with two touchdowns in a 32–7 win against a highly ranked Bears defense.[57] A quarterback controversy began. Smith was ranked third in the NFL in passer rating (104.1), led the league in completion percentage (70%), and had been 19–5–1 as a starter under Harbaugh, while Kaepernick was considered more dynamic with his scrambling ability and arm strength.[58][59] Smith was cleared to play the day before the following game, but Harbaugh chose not to rush him back and again started Kaepernick. Kaepernick won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 15 against the New England Patriots. He passed for 221 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in the 41–34 victory.[60] He remained the starter for the rest of the season and led the 49ers to an 11–4–1 record and a berth in the NFL playoffs.[61][62][63][64]
In his first career postseason start, against the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick had 263 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, one interception and 181 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns as the 49ers defeated the Packers 45–31. With his performance, he set an NFL single-game record for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 181, breaking Michael Vick's record of 173 in a 2002 regular season game.[65] He also broke the 49ers postseason rushing record, regardless of position and joined Jay Cutler and Otto Graham in both as the only players in NFL history to run for two touchdowns and pass for two others in a playoff game.[66][65] In the NFC Championship, the 49ers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 28–24 with Kaepernick completing 16-of-21 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown.[67] The team advanced to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans against the Baltimore Ravens. Kaepernick threw for 302 yards, one passing touchdown, and ran for a touchdown, but the 49ers fell behind early and could not come back, losing by a score of 34–31.[68] He was ranked 81st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.[69]
2013 season
In the season opener of the 2013 season against the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick threw for a career-high 412 yards and three touchdowns, the first 400-yard game by a 49ers quarterback since Tim Rattay on October 10, 2004.[70][71] Kaepernick ended the season with 3,197 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, 524 yards rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns and led the 49ers to a 12–4 record and a berth in the NFL playoffs.[72]
In the Wild Card Round, the 49ers played the Green Bay Packers. Kaepernick had 227 passing yards, one passing touchdown, one interception and added 98 rushing yards as the 49ers beat the Packers 23–20. In the Divisional Round, against the Carolina Panthers, Kaepernick had 196 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 15 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown as the 49ers beat the Panthers 23–10. In the NFC Championship Game, against eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, Kaepernick had 153 passing yards, one passing touchdown, two interceptions and rushed for 130 yards as the 49ers lost to the Seahawks 23–17, ending the 49ers' season and attempt to return to the Super Bowl.[73][74] He was ranked 81st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.[75]
2014 season
On June 4, Kaepernick signed a six-year contract extension with the 49ers, worth up to $126 million, including $54 million in potential guarantees, and $13 million fully guaranteed.[76]
On September 17, Kaepernick was fined by the NFL for using inappropriate language on the field.[77] On October 9, he was fined $10,000 by the NFL for appearing at a post-game press conference wearing headphones from Beats by Dre, while the league's headphone sponsor was Bose.[78] In a game against the San Diego Chargers, he ran for a 90-yard touchdown.[79] The 49ers finished the season 8–8 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.[80] Kaepernick threw for 3,369 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He rushed for 639 yards and one touchdown.[81] Following the season, head coach Jim Harbaugh left to coach the University of Michigan.[82]
2015 season
In 2015, Kaepernick struggled under new head coach Jim Tomsula. A day after a 27–6 collapse at St. Louis in Week 8, Kaepernick lost his starting job to backup Blaine Gabbert for Week 9 against Atlanta.[83] With Gabbert starting as their new quarterback, the 49ers narrowly won 17–16.[84] On November 21, the 49ers announced that Kaepernick would miss the rest of the season because of an injured left shoulder that required surgery.[85] He ended the season with 1,615 yards passing, six passing touchdowns, five interceptions and 256 rushing yards with one rushing touchdown in nine games.[86]
Head coach Tomsula was fired following the season and the 49ers hired Chip Kelly as his replacement.[87] In February 2016, Kaepernick expressed an interest in being traded.[88]
2016 season
Kaepernick was coming off three surgeries entering the 2016 season,[89] needing operations on his thumb and knee in addition to the season-ending shoulder procedure.[90] After having lost weight and muscle mass because of the injuries,[91] he competed for the starting quarterback position with Gabbert.[92] Kelly named Gabbert as the starter to open the season.[93]
Prior to the 49ers Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills, Kelly announced Kaepernick would start, marking his first start of the season. On October 13, it was announced that he and the 49ers restructured his contract, turning it into a two-year deal with a player option for the next season.[94] He completed 13-of-29 passes, with 187 passing yards, one passing touchdown and 66 rushing yards in the 49ers 45–16 loss to the Buffalo Bills.[95] On November 27, he recorded 296 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and 113 yards rushing in the 49ers' 31–24 loss to the Miami Dolphins.[96] He joined Michael Vick, Cam Newton, Randall Cunningham, and Marcus Mariota as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to record at least three passing touchdowns and 100 yards rushing in a game. In a Week 13 loss to the Chicago Bears, Kaepernick threw a career-low four yards before getting benched for Gabbert.[97] He returned to the starting lineup the following week and threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers' 41–13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.[98] On December 24, Kaepernick recorded 281 total yards, two passing touchdowns, one interception, one rushing touchdown, and a two-point conversion on the game-winning drive as the 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 22–21 to get their first victory on the season with Kaepernick as the starter.[99] For the 2016 NFL season, Kaepernick played twelve games and ended the season with 2,241 passing yards, sixteen passing touchdowns, four interceptions and added 468 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[100][101]
During the offseason, San Francisco hired Kyle Shanahan from Atlanta to be their new coach.[102] He planned to run the same offense which he ran the previous year with the Falcons, and did not believe that Kaepernick fit the scheme.[103] The 49ers told Kaepernick that they planned to release him.[103][104] On March 3, 2017, he opted out of his contract and became a free agent at the start of the 2017 league year on March 9.[105]
Lawsuit against the NFL and potential NFL future
Following his departure from the 49ers in 2016, Kaepernick went unsigned through the off-season and 2017 training camps, leading to allegations that he was being blackballed because of his on-field political statements as opposed to his performance.[106][107][108][109][110][111] The Seattle Seahawks brought Kaepernick in for a visit in May 2017, but did not work him out or offer a contract.[112][104] Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said, "He's a starter in this league. And we have a starter. But he's a starter in this league, and I can't imagine that someone won't give him a chance to play."[112] The Baltimore Ravens considered signing Kaepernick as a backup to starting quarterback Joe Flacco before the 2017 season. According to former Raven Ray Lewis, the team did not go through with this after Kaepernick's girlfriend made comparisons of Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to a slave owner, and Lewis his slave, in a tweet;[113][114] Bisciotti reportedly believed the signing would result in heavy backlash and criticism from the general public,[115] a claim that was refuted by the team.[116] By August 2017, the statistics website FiveThirtyEight concluded that "it's obvious Kaepernick is being frozen out for his political opinions", calling it "extraordinary... that a player like him can't find a team", based on the observation that "no above-average quarterback has been unemployed nearly as long as Kaepernick this offseason".[9] The Seahawks set up another visit and workout with him in April 2018, but the team postponed it indefinitely after he would not say whether he would continue his national anthem protest or not.[117]
In October 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, accusing league owners of collusion to keep him out of the league.[118] The NFL requested to dismiss the case but was denied by an arbitrator which meant the case would go to trial.[119][120] On February 15, 2019, it was announced that Kaepernick reached a confidential settlement with the NFL and withdrew the grievance. In a related case, Eric Reid, who was the first to join Kaepernick in kneeling when they were 49ers teammates, also settled with the league.[121][122] Reid had been unsigned for a stretch before joining the Carolina Panthers.[121]
Before November 2019, Kaepernick had not had an NFL tryout since becoming a free agent.[123] He continued working out five days a week,[124] and stated publicly and privately that he wished to continue playing.[125]
On November 12, 2019, the NFL set up a workout for him in Atlanta on Saturday, November 16. All 32 NFL teams were invited to attend the private session, which was to be closed to the media. It was to include an on-field workout and an interview, with videos of both to be sent to teams afterward.[126] Aside from its scouting combine, the league rarely organizes workouts for all of its teams.[127] Typically, NFL teams schedule workouts for Tuesdays, when head coaches and general managers can more readily attend.[126] On Saturdays, teams are preparing for games the next day and traveling to away games.[126][127] On November 16, about 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the workout, Kaepernick nixed the plans over concerns about the workout not being public and issues with the liability waiver the NFL asked him to sign. He instead moved to an Atlanta-area high school, where he held a public throwing session attended by scouts from seven NFL teams.[128][129]
In an opinion piece published by The New York Times on November 22, 2019, Ta-Nehisi Coates said Kaepernick is "not fighting for a job" but that he is "fighting against cancellation".[130]
In February 2019, it was reported that Kaepernick spoke with the Alliance of American Football and XFL about becoming a quarterback for them but wanted a guaranteed $20,000,000 per season.[131] XFL quarterbacks were paid $250,000 per season[131] while AAF quarterbacks were signed to an unguaranteed $250,000 over three seasons.[132]
In June 2020, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that he regretted not signing Kaepernick in 2017; however for the 2020 season, he would not be signing him and was happy with Geno Smith as the team's backup quarterback.[133] Carroll indicated "someone is interested" in Kaepernick and that a team contacted him about Kaepernick to get some insight on him and Carroll said that it is the first time any team has contacted him since his 2017 meeting with Kaepernick.[134]
Kaepernick worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2022.[135]
In August 2024, Harbaugh, in his first year as the Los Angeles Chargers' head coach, revealed he had reached out to Kaepernick months prior to offer him a coaching job on the team, but he declined. As the Chargers staff was already complete for 2024, he would have to join at the start of the 2025 season should he change his mind.[136]
NFL career statistics
Legend | |
---|---|
Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Sck | Yds | Fum | Lost | ||
2011 | SF | 3 | 0 | — | 3 | 5 | 60.0 | 35 | 7.0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 81.3 | 2 | −2 | −1.0 | −1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | SF | 13 | 7 | 5–2 | 136 | 218 | 62.4 | 1,814 | 8.3 | 57 | 10 | 3 | 98.3 | 63 | 415 | 6.6 | 50 | 5 | 16 | 112 | 9 | 2 |
2013 | SF | 16 | 16 | 12–4 | 243 | 416 | 58.4 | 3,197 | 7.7 | 64 | 21 | 8 | 91.6 | 92 | 524 | 5.7 | 28 | 4 | 39 | 231 | 6 | 4 |
2014 | SF | 16 | 16 | 8–8 | 289 | 478 | 60.5 | 3,369 | 7.0 | 80 | 19 | 10 | 86.4 | 104 | 639 | 6.1 | 90 | 1 | 52 | 344 | 8 | 5 |
2015 | SF | 9 | 8 | 2–6 | 144 | 244 | 59.0 | 1,615 | 6.6 | 76 | 6 | 5 | 78.5 | 45 | 256 | 5.7 | 15 | 1 | 28 | 166 | 5 | 1 |
2016 | SF | 12 | 11 | 1–10 | 196 | 331 | 59.2 | 2,241 | 6.8 | 65 | 16 | 4 | 90.7 | 69 | 468 | 6.8 | 30 | 2 | 36 | 207 | 9 | 3 |
Career | 69 | 58 | 28–30 | 1,011 | 1,692 | 59.8 | 12,271 | 7.3 | 80 | 72 | 30 | 88.9 | 375 | 2,300 | 6.1 | 90 | 13 | 171 | 1,060 | 37 | 15 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Sck | Yds | Fum | Lost | ||
2012 | SF | 3 | 3 | 2−1 | 49 | 80 | 61.3 | 798 | 10.0 | 45 | 4 | 2 | 100.9 | 25 | 264 | 10.6 | 56 | 3 | 5 | 32 | 1 | 0 |
2013 | SF | 3 | 3 | 2−1 | 45 | 82 | 54.9 | 576 | 7.0 | 45 | 3 | 3 | 74.0 | 26 | 243 | 9.3 | 58 | 1 | 6 | 26 | 3 | 1 |
Career | 6 | 6 | 4–2 | 94 | 162 | 58.0 | 1,374 | 8.5 | 45 | 7 | 5 | 87.3 | 51 | 507 | 9.9 | 58 | 4 | 11 | 58 | 4 | 1 |
Activism
Leading up to the 2016 season, Kaepernick was active in July on social media with social commentary on the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, the police shooting of Charles Kinsey and the acquittal of police in the death of Freddie Gray.[137][15] In the 49ers third preseason game of the season, reporter Steve Wyche noticed Kaepernick sitting down during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner",[137] as opposed to the tradition of standing.[138] During a post-game interview, Kaepernick explained his position stating, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder", referencing a series of African-American deaths caused by law enforcement that led to the Black Lives Matter movement and adding that he would continue to protest until he feels like "[the American flag] represents what it's supposed to represent".[139][140] It had gone largely unnoticed that Kaepernick was also sitting during the anthem in the previous two weeks, when he was inactive and not in uniform while recovering from injuries.[137][141]
In the 49ers' fourth and final preseason game, Kaepernick kneeled during the U.S. national anthem to show more respect to former and current U.S. military members while still protesting during the anthem after having a conversation with former NFL player and U.S. military veteran Nate Boyer.[142] After the September 2016 police shootings of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott,[143] Kaepernick commented publicly on the shootings saying, "this is a perfect example of what this is about".[144] Photos then surfaced of him wearing socks depicting police officers as pigs.[145][146] In a statement, he acknowledged wearing them as a statement against "rogue cops". He maintained that he has friends/family in law enforcement and that there are cops with "good intentions" who protect and serve and he was not targeting all police.[147] Kaepernick went on to kneel during the anthem prior to every 49ers game that season.[citation needed]
After initial backlash against his protests, Kaepernick pledged to donate $1 million to "organizations working in oppressed communities".[148][149] He donated $25,000 to the Mothers Against Police Brutality organization that was started by Collette Flanagan, whose son fell victim to police brutality.[150] In 2018, Kaepernick announced that he would make the final $100,000 donation of his "Million Dollar Pledge" in the form of $10,000 donations to charities that would be matched by celebrities.[151]
Inspired by Kaepernick, other NFL players and pro athletes conducted various forms of silent protests during the national anthem.[104][115] His San Francisco teammates awarded him the team's Len Eshmont Award, as the player who best epitomized the inspirational and courageous play of former 49er Len Eshmont.[152][153] Then-49ers head coach Chip Kelly later said that Kaepernick was "zero distraction" that season.[89][154]
Also in 2016, Kaepernick and his partner Nessa founded the "Know Your Rights Camp", an organization which held free seminars to disadvantaged youths to teach them about self-empowerment, American history, and legal rights.[155] In April 2020, the Know Your Rights Camp launched a relief fund for individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[156] Kaepernick donated $100,000 to the fund.[157]
In 2018, Nike released an ad featuring Kaepernick with the text, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything." NFL spokesperson Jocelyn Moore responded to the ad saying Kaepernick's social justice campaign, "deserve(s) our attention and action".[158]
In July 2019, Nike released a shoe featuring the Betsy Ross flag called the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July trainers. The trainers were designed to celebrate Independence Day. The model was subsequently withdrawn after Colin Kaepernick told the brand he and others found the flag offensive because they associated it with slavery.[159][160][161] Joe Scarborough decried Nike's decision as "politically correct madness", saying that the flag should be seen as a symbol of resistance against King George III. Scarborough also felt that this instance of political correctness could help Donald Trump to be re-elected.[162] Charles Taylor of Forbes described Nike's decision as a blunder, noting that no significant number of Americans view the Betsy Ross flag as a racist symbol and that a poll shows that 85% of American millennials like seeing the U.S. flag on Independence Day.[163] Nike's decision to withdraw the product drew criticism from Arizona Republican Governor Doug Ducey, who subsequently pulled a US$2 million tax incentive for a Nike factory in the state,[164] and Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz.[165]
In June 2020, amid the George Floyd protests, The New York Times wrote that the NFL had wrestled with the issue of race, noting that three-quarters of NFL players are African-American, yet nearly every NFL team owner is white (and several are prominent Trump supporters).[166] NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell put out a statement in which he apologized for not listening to the concerns of African-American players.[166] The Times wrote that Goodell's "words were panned as hypocritical because of the league owners' rejection of Kaepernick."[166] Michael Rosenberg of Sports Illustrated wrote, "Mainstream white America is going to reconsider Kaepernick at some point – the way it reconsidered Muhammad Ali years after he refused to go to Vietnam, the way it reconsidered Jackie Robinson and Jack Johnson. Progress comes in fits and starts, and this country tends to punish those who urge it to move faster. The reconsideration of Kaepernick has begun."[167][168] In August, after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man, Goodell said that he wished the NFL had listened earlier to Kaepernick's reasons for kneeling.[169]
Kaepernick supports the abolition of police and prisons. In October 2020, Kaepernick Publishing launched a project with Medium titled "Abolition For The People", a collection of 30 essays written by several activists calling for police and prison abolition and criticizing prison reform as only "reforming, reshaping, and rebranding"[170] systemic racism.[171][172][173] In August 2016 Kaepernick wore a t-shirt featuring a picture of a meeting between Malcolm X and Fidel Castro and praised the Cuban Literacy Campaign. He also said, "I am a believer in Malcolm X and his ideology and what he talked about and what he believed in as far as fighting oppression".[174][175][176]
Written works
- I Color Myself Different (Scholastic)[177]
Personal life
Kaepernick was baptized Methodist, confirmed Lutheran, and attended a Baptist church during his college years.[178] Kaepernick spoke about his faith saying, "I think God guides me through every day and helps me take the right steps and has helped me to get to where I'm at."[179] Kaepernick has multiple tattoos about his faith. His right arm features a scroll with the Bible verse Psalm 18:39 written on it. Tattooed under the scroll are praying hands with the phrase "To God The Glory" written on them. To the left of both the scroll and praying hands is the word "Faith" written vertically. His left arm features a Christian cross with the words "Heaven Sent" on it referring to Jesus Christ. Written above and below the cross is the phrase "God Will Guide Me". Written to the left and right of the cross is the Bible verse Psalm 27:3.[180][181][182]
Kaepernick reportedly started dating radio personality and television host Nessa Diab in July 2015,[183] and officially went public about their relationship in February 2016.[184] Their child was born in August 2022.[185]
Kaepernick began following a vegan diet in late 2015.[186]
Kaepernick's family has had a pet African spurred tortoise named Sammy since he was 10 years old.[187]
In February 2020, Kaepernick started Kaepernick Publishing.[188] Kaepernick published a children's book titled I Color Myself Different in April 2022 through his publishing company and Scholastic.[189]
On October 29, 2021, Netflix premiered Colin in Black & White, a six-episode limited series about Kaepernick's teenage years. The series was co-created by Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay.[190]
Awards and honors
- 2017 GQ Magazine Citizen of the Year[191]
- 2017 Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award[192]
- 2017 American Civil Liberties Union Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award[193]
- 2017 Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship honoree[194]
- 2018 Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award[195]
- 2018 Harvard University W. E. B. Du Bois Medal[196][197]
- 2020 Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights[198]
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Further reading
- Towler, C., Crawford, N., & Bennett, R. (2020). Shut Up and Play: Black Athletes, Protest Politics, and Black Political Action. Perspectives on Politics, 18(1), 111–127.
External links
- Official website
- San Francisco 49ers profile
- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- ESPN.com college profile
- Colin Kaepernick
- 1987 births
- Living people
- Activists for African-American civil rights
- Activists from California
- Activists from Wisconsin
- African-American activists
- African American adoptees
- 21st-century African-American sportsmen
- American adoptees
- American football quarterbacks
- American human rights activists
- American people of Italian descent
- American people of Ivorian descent
- American philanthropists
- American sportspeople of Ghanaian descent
- American sportspeople of Nigerian descent
- Black Lives Matter people
- National Football League controversies
- Nevada Wolf Pack football players
- Sportspeople from Turlock, California
- Players of American football from Stanislaus County, California
- Players of American football from Milwaukee
- Prison abolitionists
- American prison reformers
- San Francisco 49ers players
- Sportspeople from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
- Sportspeople from the San Francisco Bay Area
- U.S. national anthem protests (2016–present)