Sports

Colin Kaepernick Reflects on Decade-Long Exile Following Historic Anthem Protest

28 Oct 2026, 07:30 AM IST · GlobeWire Daily Sports Desk · Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Image: www.bbc.co.uk — Creative Commons

Key takeaways A Defining Stand Ten years after kneeling during the US national anthem to protest racial injustice, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick maintains he has no regrets. In his first interview with BBC Sport, the 38-year-old reflects on the professional consequences o

A Defining Stand

Ten years after kneeling during the US national anthem to protest racial injustice, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick maintains he has no regrets. In his first interview with BBC Sport, the 38-year-old reflects on the professional consequences of his 2016 activism, which saw him effectively excluded from the NFL despite his prior success with the San Francisco 49ers.

Impact and Legacy

Kaepernick’s protest, intended to highlight systemic police brutality, drew both widespread support and intense political condemnation, notably from Donald Trump. While he filed a grievance against NFL owners that resulted in a 2019 settlement, he never returned to the field. Today, he remains a prominent figure in civil rights advocacy, noting that while athlete activism has seen fluctuations, the need for social change remains critical. Readers can review his full reflections at BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/articles/cm3el5dnpxp2o.

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Read the original source: 'I would do it again' - Kaepernick reflects on price of protest, 10 years on

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