Ten years have passed since former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick first sat and then knelt during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racial injustice and police brutality. Kaepernick has remained outside of the National Football League since the conclusion of that season, while the social conversation surrounding his choice continues.
The protest began during the 2016 NFL preseason when Kaepernick, then a member of the San Francisco 49ers, opted not to stand for the anthem. After consulting with former NFL player and U.S. Army veteran Nate Boyer, Kaepernick transitioned from sitting to kneeling, a gesture he stated was intended to show respect for the military while still highlighting social issues.
Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers following the 2016 season and has not played in the NFL since. In 2017, he filed a grievance against the league, alleging that team owners conspired to keep him out of the NFL due to his protests. The grievance was settled in 2019 under confidential terms.
The source notes that the ripple effects of the protest continue a decade later. NFL broadcasts and stadiums eventually featured social justice messaging on uniforms and end zones. The source also states that the protest influenced how other institutions, including colleges and high schools, handled similar actions by student-athletes. Kaepernick has continued his advocacy through various organizations.