Kaepernick: 'I'd do it again' 10 years on

Ten years after kneeling during the US national anthem, Colin Kaepernick says he would do it again, despite the career cost ^[1]. The former NFL quarterback made the gesture in September 2016 to protest racial injustice and police brutality, a move that sparked national debate and drew condemnation from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Kaepernick, who had led the San Francisco 49ers to the 2013 Super Bowl, was not signed by any team after opting out of his contract in 2017, though the 49ers later said he would have been released regardless ^[1]. He filed a grievance against NFL team owners, claiming collusion to block his hiring, and settled in 2019.

According to ^[1], the NFL arranged a private workout for Kaepernick, though the details of timing and conditions have not been confirmed. He declined to attend, instead holding his own session to ensure media coverage. His protest inspired athletes worldwide, including England’s football teams, who began taking the knee during international matches.

He says seeing global teams adopt the gesture was 'humbling' and 'exciting', though he acknowledges racism persists in the UK and beyond ^[1]. While athlete activism remains strong in principle, recent surveys suggest momentum has slowed, with some Premier League players choosing not to take the knee during the No Room for Racism campaign.

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out reported a record number of discrimination complaints in the past season, indicating ongoing challenges ^[1]. Kaepernick believes the decline in visible protest is due to institutional resistance from organisations like the NFL and corporate entities that have 'capitulated' to pressure.

He insists the current moment demands more protest, not less, as systemic inequality remains unresolved ^[1]. The story was first reported by BBC News.