Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem 10 years ago.
The moment led to emotional reactions on both sides and rarely with any space left in the middle. NFL players weren’t exempt from that reality either, including in a group chat that involved Kaepernick, according to an NBC interview with the former quarterback.
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“Reaction from players was also mixed,” NBC’s Rohan Nadkarni wrote. “While Reid, Kaepernick and five other players kneeled on Sept. 1, 2016, many who said they were sympathetic to Kaepernick’s cause disagreed with his decision not to stand for the anthem.”
Kaepernick explains as much in his memoir, “The Perilous Fight,” which is slated to release on Sept. 15.
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick puts his hand over his heart in response to a comment at a special training event created by Kaepernick to provide greater access to scouts, the media, and the public, at Charles. R. Drew High School in Riverdale, Ga. On Nov. 16, 2019. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick became one of the most influential figures in modern sports activism after kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racial injustice and police brutality. His actions sparked a national conversation that extended far beyond football and continue to shape discussions about athlete activism today.
(Elijah Nouvelage, REUTERS)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick puts his hand over his heart in response to a comment at a special training event created by Kaepernick to provide greater access to scouts, the media, and the public, at Charles. R. Drew High School in Riverdale, Ga. On Nov. 16, 2019. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick became one of the most influential figures in modern sports activism after kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racial injustice and police brutality. His actions sparked a national conversation that extended far beyond football and continue to shape discussions about athlete activism today.
(Elijah Nouvelage, REUTERS)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick (10) runs past Fresno State defensive back Desia Dunn (24) in the third quarter at Mackay Stadium. Nevada won the game, 52-14, on Nov. 14, 2009.
(Cary Edmondson, US PRESSWIRE)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) kneel during the national anthem while members of the military hold the flag before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium.
(Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Kaepernick talks on the sideline in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.
(Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58), quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and free safety Eric Reid (35) kneel during the national anthem before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.
(Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) pumps his fist as he acknowledges the cheers from the 49ers’ fans after leading his team to a 22-21 come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
(Robert Hanashiro, Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (right) talks to media after the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.
(Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick receives the SI Muhammad Ali Legacy Award during Sports Illustrated 2017 Sportsperson of the Year Show on Dec. 5, 2017.
(Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Draymond Green and Kaepernick celebrate the Warriors winning the Western Conference Finals and advancing to the 2019 NBA Finals.
(Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Kaepernick watches a second-round match between Naomi Osaka and Magda Linette of Poland on day four of the 2019 US Open.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick attends Tyler Perry Studios grand opening gala at Tyler Perry Studios on Oct. 5, 2019 in Atlanta.
(Paul R. Giunta, Getty Images)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick looks to pass during his NFL workout held at Charles R Drew high school on November 16, 2019 in Riverdale, Georgia.
(Carmen Mandato, Getty Images)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick attends the Netflix Limited Series “Colin in Black and White” Premiere at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on October 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
(Leon Bennett, Getty Images for Netflix)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Spike Lee and Colin Kaepernick sit courtside during the first quarter between the New York Knicks and the Memphis Grizzlies at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 2, 2022.
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Jim Harbaugh watches former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick throw passes at halftime of the Michigan spring game April 2, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
(Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick sits for a portrait on June 12, 2023, Los Angeles, Calif.
(Yannick Peterhans, USA TODAY)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart talks with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick after defeating Las Vegas Aces 88-84 in game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center on Oct. 1, 2024.
(Wendell Cruz, Imagn Images)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Nessa and Colin Kaepernick pose during the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute with this year’s theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ in New York City on May 5, 2025.
(Mario Anzuoni, REUTERS)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick speaks onstage during HumanX AI Conference 2025 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on March 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Big Event Media, Getty Images for HumanX Conference)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick, Ness and Gloria Steinem attend the 51st Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street on June 16, 2026 in New York City.
(Dave Kotinsky, Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media Foundation)
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Colin Kaepernick’s football and activism career in pictures
Colin Kaepernick is awarded by Deborah Archer, ACLU Board President, with the newly-established ACLU Ralph Ellison Award for Defenders of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in the Arts, Business, Science and Sports at the ACLU Awards Ceremony at Washington Hilton on July 24, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Paul Morigi, Getty Images)
The chat featured roughly 100 players from all 32 teams, according to NBC.
“Kaepernick writes of a text exchange in September 2016 in which then-Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman told him he shouldn’t tell players how to protest,” the network said.
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One former player told NBC that the tension in the chat was “palpable,” as others suggested that Kaepernick only knelt for personal gain.
JARRETT BELL: 10 years after the kneel, why Colin Kaepernick’s sacrifice endures | Opinion
Following a season of drama, Kaepernick became a free agent in 2017 after the Niners informed him of their intention to release him. Kaepernick opted out of his contract instead.
It turned out to be the quarterback’s final action in the NFL. He started 11 games and appeared in 12 during the 2016 season, posting a 1-10 record. He completed 59.2% of passes and tossed 16 touchdowns to just four interceptions, while adding 468 rushing yards and two touchdowns as a runner.
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The 49ers turned the page on that era after the season, hiring Kyle Shanahan as the new head coach. He remains the coach to this day.
For Kaepernick, there wasn’t another NFL season. He fought the league with a grievance in 2017, which was settled in 2019.
According to NBC, that includes work on business endeavors like the Know Your Rights Camp, his AI company, Lumi Story, and production house, Kaepernick Media. In between all of that, Kaepernick is busy helping to raise his 4-year-old daughter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protest sparked mixed reaction in NFL group chat
