Colin Kaepernick was a second-round draft choose in 2011. The following 12 months he led the San Francisco 49ers to the Tremendous Bowl. By 2016, he had begun kneeling on the sideline at video games through the nationwide anthem to protest social injustice and police brutality.
Quickly after, he was gone from the NFL, and he has not performed since. Right here’s a timeline of Kaepernick’s professional soccer and post-NFL days since he first kneeled throughout “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Aug. 26, 2016: Through the anthem earlier than a Packers-49ers preseason recreation, Kaepernick sits on the San Francisco bench. Kaepernick says he sat as a result of the nation “oppresses black individuals and folks of colour.” His motion doesn’t entice rapid nationwide consideration. He mentions that he had earlier not stood for the anthem.
Aug. 27, 2016: Kaepernick’s sitdown begins drawing headlines. Some condemn him for dishonoring the flag and nation. Others applaud his motives. The NFL says gamers are inspired however not required to face for the anthem.
Aug. 30, 2016: Former NFL participant and ex-Inexperienced Beret Nate Boyer suggests to Kaepernick to kneel fairly than sit through the anthem.
Sept. 1, 2016: Kaepernick kneels earlier than a street recreation in opposition to the Chargers and says he’ll donate $1 million to organizations supporting his goals.
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FILE – On this Sept. 25, 2016, file photograph, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneels through the nationwide anthem earlier than an NFL soccer recreation in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. Kaepernick was a second-round draft choose in 2011 who the following 12 months led the San Francisco 49ers to the Tremendous Bowl. By 2016, he had begun kneeling on the sideline at video games through the nationwide anthem to protest social injustice and police brutality. Quickly after, he was gone from the NFL, and he has not performed since. much lessFILE – On this Sept. 25, 2016, file photograph, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneels through the nationwide anthem earlier than an NFL soccer recreation in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. Kaepernick was … extra
Picture: Ted S. Warren, AP
Picture: Ted S. Warren, AP
Sept. 5, 2016: President Barack Obama defends Kaepernick’s protest, saying it’s his constitutional proper.
Sept. 7, 2016: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he “doesn’t essentially agree with what (Kaepernick) is doing,” however helps gamers who search modifications in society.
Sept. 11, 2016: On the primary full day of the common season, a number of gamers kneel through the anthem.
Sept. 12, 2016: Kaepernick and security Eric Reid kneel earlier than the 49ers’ house recreation in opposition to the Rams. Kaepernick is rehabbing a knee harm and doesn’t play.
Sept. 27, 2016: After criticism from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Kaepernick responds: “He at all times says make America nice once more. Properly, America has by no means been nice for individuals of colour. That’s one thing that must be addressed. Let’s make America nice for the primary time.”
Oct. 16, 2016: Kaepernick returns as 49ers starter in a 45-16 loss at Buffalo and stays the starter the remainder of the season.
Jan. 1, 2017: Kaepernick performs his ultimate NFL recreation, a 25-23 loss to Seattle.
March 3, 2017: His stint with the 49ers, who deliberate to chop him, ends as Kaepernick opts out of his contract.
Aug. 25, 2017: Though a number of groups have proven reasonable curiosity in Kaepernick, he will get no contract gives. Supporters say group house owners are blackballing him, and a gaggle rallies outdoors NFL headquarters in Manhattan.
Sept. 10, 2017: With out Kaepernick within the league, gamers nonetheless kneel through the anthem.
Sept. 26, 2017: Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones locks arms and kneels together with his gamers earlier than the anthem however stand whereas it is performed.
Oct. 15, 2017: Kaepernick information a grievance in opposition to NFL group house owners, citing collusion to maintain him out of the league.
Dec. 31, 2017: NFL season ends with Kaepernick unemployed.
April 18, 2018: As a part of their collusion declare, Kaepernick and his representatives depose Goodell and quite a lot of NFL house owners and executives, together with Jones.
Might 23, 2018: NFL house owners approve a rule banning kneeling through the anthem. Gamers have the choice to remain within the locker room. President Trump applauds the rule. NFL house owners quickly retract the rule due to its divisiveness.
Sept. 3, 2018: Because the common season approaches with out Kaepernick once more, Nike makes the quarterback the focus of its sports activities promoting marketing campaign. “Consider in one thing, even when it means sacrificing the whole lot. #JustDoIt.” There are requires boycotting Nike in addition to reward for the attire firm.
Sept. 9, 2018: A second straight season begins with Kaepernick not on a roster, however with some gamers nonetheless kneeling through the anthem.
Sept. 26, 2018: Reid, a free agent, lastly finds a group, the Carolina Panthers, and is congratulated on social media by Kaepernick.
Dec. 30, 2018: The common season ends. Kaepernick stays with out an NFL supply.
Feb. 15, 2019: The NFL reaches settlements with Kaepernick and Reid on collusion grievances. Financial figures aren’t disclosed.
Aug. 8, 2019: Eyeing an NFL job, Kaepernick sends social media message to groups that features a video of him understanding.
Sept. 8, 2019: The third consecutive full opening day of an NFL season with out Kaepernick.
Nov. 18, 2019: Lastly, a exercise with NFL groups, however chaos ensues. Kaepernick strikes the session in Atlanta, contending the league was not clear in how it might be run, who would attend and who can be answerable for potential accidents. A restricted variety of groups make it to the exercise. Says Kaepernick: “Everyone knows why. I got here on the market and confirmed it right now in entrance of everyone. Cease operating from the reality. Cease operating from the individuals.”
Dec. 29, 2019: The season ends with Kaepernick unsigned.
Feb. 13, 2020: Kaepernick publicizes he’ll write a memoir, although he nonetheless desires to play soccer.
Might 29, 2020: Sparked by the dying of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis pressed a knee into his neck for practically 9 minutes, Kaepernick gives help to nationwide protesters. “We’ve got the proper to struggle again! Relaxation in energy George Floyd.”
Might 30, 2020: The NFL’s assertion on Floyd’s dying and the following protests mentions Kaepernick’s demonstrations through the anthem.
June 4, 2020: Lots of Kaepernick’s supporters throughout the league launch a video urging the NFL to denounce racism and additional promote social justice.
June 5, 2020: In a video, Goodell apologizes to gamers for not listening to them earlier. He encourages them to protest peacefully and denounces racism. He says the league will probably be a part of “how we will enhance and go ahead for a greater and extra united NFL household.”
June 5, 2020: Trump reiterates his criticism of Kaepernick after New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees apologizes for feedback about protesters’ objectives: The president says on Twitter the participant “mustn’t have taken again his unique stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag. OLD GLORY is to be revered, cherished, and flown excessive… We needs to be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on coronary heart. There are different issues you may protest, however not our Nice American Flag – NO KNEELING!”
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AP Professional Soccer Author Rob Maaddi and Sports activities Author Ben Nuckols contributed.
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