In brief
Ten years after kneeling during the anthem, Kaepernick tells a BBC interview that he has no regrets and would repeat the gesture. He recounts the backlash that ended his NFL career and his subsequent legal battle, settlement, and focus on activism. Kaepernick praises the recent wave of athletes who have taken the knee and sees sport and politics as inseparable. The interview also covers his memoir, philanthropic work and his view that the fight against racism is far from over.
In September 2016, former quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the US national anthem to protest racial injustice. Ten years on he says he would do the act again and has no regrets.
The gesture sparked national debate, fines from the NFL and, later, his release from the San Francisco 49ers. Kaepernick opted out of his contract in March 2017, leading to a two‑year legal dispute that ended in a settlement in 2019.
He credits the moment to a lifetime of witnessing racism and a sense of responsibility to protest a flag he saw as oppressive. The protest united many NFL players while also drawing condemnation from politicians and fans who deemed it disrespectful to the military.
Since the protest, the "taking the knee" gesture has spread beyond American sport. In 2020 it became part of Black Lives Matter rallies and is now common among football national teams, including England’s men’s and women’s squads.
Kaepernick argues that politics cannot be separated from sport. He notes that stadiums are taxpayer funded and owners endorse political candidates, making the arena a platform for social change.
Today, at 38, Kaepernick has published a memoir about his upbringing, a Know Your Rights education campaign, and several children’s books. He remains in shape and ready, should a playing opportunity arise again.
His activism continues to inspire, drawing comparisons to figures like Muhammad Ali and the 1968 Olympic Black Power salute. Kaepernick stresses that the work continues: to address inequality, to rebuild trust and to create an equitable society.
