Colin Kaepernick hasn’t watched a single NFL game since he left the league ten years ago. Yep, you read that right: a whole decade. It’s not just that he’s not playing, he’s not even tuning in as a fan, and that’s a statement that cuts deep when you think about it.
The Blackball Claim and The Commissioner’s Rebuttal
Kaepernick is clear on why he’s checked out of the league completely. He won’t support an organization that he says “is actively blackballing me” and, to add insult to injury, has “targeted my brothers who have been protesting as part of this as well.” That’s a strong accusation, and it speaks volumes about how he still feels about his exit. He might not be watching NFL, but he’s definitely keeping up with college football, which is a pretty stark contrast. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, for his part, has publicly stated on multiple occasions that he doesn’t believe the league blackballed Kaepernick. It’s a classic he-said, he-said, but Kaepernick’s decade-long boycott tells you where he stands.
New Memoir Drops Details on the Tumultuous Stance
Kaepernick is staying busy, not just with his college football viewing, but also with a new memoir titled “The Perilous Fight,” hitting shelves on September 15. He recently spoke with NBC News about the book, which dives into previously unknown details about his September 1, 2016 protest with fellow 49er Eric Reid. Turns out, that widely publicized kneeling wasn’t even his first silent protest; he had actually remained on the bench during the anthem way back on August 14, 2016, during a preseason game. His initial statement to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche at the time was blunt: “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.” What’s truly wild is a recount from the book where his partner, Nessa Diab, asked him how hard he went on the interview. He reportedly replied, “I don’t know. Maybe a 4.” It’s a reminder that even he wasn’t fully prepared for the explosion that followed, which really tells you something about the climate back then, doesn’t it?
The release of “The Perilous Fight” on September 15 is going to bring all these conversations back to the forefront. It’s a chance to hear his side, and you can bet a lot of folks will be lining up to read it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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