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A decade after Colin Kaepernick took a knee that led to his exile, the ripple effects continue

The protest sparked leaguewide debate, and as many as 200 players knelt during the 2017 season, supporters said.

  • On this 10th anniversary of his national anthem protests, Colin Kaepernick remains a defining figure in sports history. Senior columnist Jerry Brewer of The Athletic noted his stance is "aging well" despite the controversy surrounding the quarterback's decision.
  • Kaepernick shifted from sitting on the bench to kneeling after consulting with Retired Green Beret Boyer in 2016. The gesture aimed to draw attention to police brutality and racial injustice while maintaining respect for military members.
  • Following the protests, Kaepernick's football career stalled, leading to a collusion lawsuit against the NFL. By 2020, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the league "misstepped by not listening to players" fighting for social equality.
  • Kaepernick and his wife, Nessa, have focused on activism through their "Know Your Rights" camps. Their foundation promotes "education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization" for people of color and funds independent autopsies.
  • Activist advisor Edwards, who counseled past athletes Smith and Carlos at the 1968 Olympics, believes Kaepernick's impact as a sports political figure remains profound. His influence continues to resonate as society grapples with the issues he raised.
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A decade after Colin Kaepernick took a knee that led to his exile, the ripple effects continue

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem in 2016 sparked a cultural conversation.

·New York, United States
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Nothing about Colin Kaepernick, the football player, changed that warm night in Southern California a decade ago. Neither his speed, nor the strength of his arm, nor the improvisation skills that made him one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the NFL. And, to be honest, nothing changed about Colin Kaepernick, the 28-year-old man, that night.

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Winnipeg Free Press broke the news in Winnipeg, Canada on Monday, August 31, 2026.
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