When former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first knelt during the national anthem in August 2016, he ignited a movement that still reverberates through U.S. sports today. While the protest began quietly – Kaepernick first remained seated during the anthem before a preseason game against the Houston Texans – the act captured national attention when he repeated it against the Green Bay Packers on August 26, 2016.

Why Kaepernick took a stand

In an interview with NFL reporter Steve Wyche, Kaepernick explained his decision: “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.”

His protest came amid a summer marked by the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, incidents that intensified public debate over police use of force. Kaepernick had already spoken out on social media, describing Sterling’s death as a modern‑day “lynching” and calling Castile’s killing “clear as day” evidence that African Americans were “under attack.”

National reaction and backlash

The protest quickly became a flashpoint. Kaepernick faced boos in stadiums, death threats, and sharp criticism from then‑Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who called the protest “a terrible thing” and suggested Kaepernick should “find a country that works better for him.” Despite the hostility, Kaepernick continued his silent boycott throughout the 2016 and 2017 regular seasons.

His stance also had personal cost. After becoming a free agent in 2017, no NFL team signed him, effectively ending his professional football career. Yet the impact of his action extended far beyond his own playing days.

Ripple effect across sports

Within weeks, athletes in other leagues began similar demonstrations. During the 2017 WNBA Finals, the Los Angeles Sparks stayed in the locker room during the anthem, while Minnesota Lynx players linked arms on the court. WNBA star Diana Taurasi said the team wanted Kaepernick to know they stood with him.

Baseball saw catcher Bruce Maxwell kneel, hockey featured J.T. Brown, women’s soccer highlighted Megan Rapinoe, and several NBA teams locked arms during the anthem throughout the 2016‑17 season. Journalist Jonathan Abrams of The New York Times noted that Kaepernick “really lit something that was felt through just about every sport.”

Legacy and ongoing conversation

Although Kaepernick will likely be remembered more for his protest than for any on‑field achievements, his actions forced a national conversation about patriotism, moral conscience, and the role of athletes in public discourse. Historian Timothy Naftali asked, “If your country is doing something you find morally offensive, should you be a party to that?”

The dialogue Kaepernick started resurfaced powerfully after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, when athletes across the country used their platforms to demand racial justice and police reform. The image of Kaepernick kneeling beside teammate Eric Reid remains an enduring symbol of that movement.

While Kaepernick’s NFL career may have ended, his willingness to risk personal loss for a cause he believed in helped usher in a new era of athlete activism that continues to shape sports and society alike.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.