Colin Kaepernick has revisited the origins and impact of his protest against racial injustice in a new memoir titled “The Perilous Fight,” released on Tuesday. The former NFL quarterback reflects on the decision to kneel during the national anthem—a gesture that sparked widespread discussion about patriotism, free speech, and systemic racism.
Kaepernick’s protest began in August 2016, several years after leading the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl. Initially, he chose to sit on the bench during the anthem, explaining to a reporter that he could not “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color.” The move quickly drew both support and criticism, particularly accusations of disrespect toward military veterans. In response, Kaepernick shifted from sitting to kneeling, a posture that was later adopted by teammate Eric Reid and other professional athletes across various sports.
Following the 2016 season, Kaepernick became a free agent but was not signed by any NFL team. He filed a grievance alleging that league owners colluded to exclude him due to his protests. The NFL and Kaepernick ultimately reached a confidential settlement without the league acknowledging any wrongdoing. Since then, Kaepernick has pursued civil rights activism and media projects, including co-creating the Netflix series “Colin in Black & White,” which chronicles his youth. A separate documentary produced by Spike Lee was canceled amid creative disagreements.
The controversy surrounding Kaepernick’s protest also influenced the NFL’s approach to social justice. After some musicians declined to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in solidarity with Kaepernick, the league partnered with Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s entertainment company, in 2019 to produce the event and develop social initiatives. The partnership received mixed reactions, with some criticizing Jay-Z for perceived contradictions regarding the protest. Notably, during the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show, Eminem knelt on stage in what many interpreted as a tribute to Kaepernick. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted the league had been slow to listen to players’ concerns, though Kaepernick was not mentioned by name. Teams now have options to display racial justice slogans on the field, and players may wear them on helmets.
In his memoir, Kaepernick describes how his worldview evolved after reading works including Malcolm X’s autobiography and witnessing incidents of police violence against Black men such as Mario Woods, Freddie Gray, and Philando Castile. He expressed surprise at the intensity of the reaction against his protest, contrasting it with public responses to recorded killings of Black individuals.
Kaepernick also addresses the narrative surrounding the choice to kneel rather than sit during the anthem. While Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret and NFL player, has said he suggested kneeling as a sign of respect toward the military, Kaepernick writes that the decision was already made independently by him and Reid. He critiques the narrative as an example of a “white savior” framing that sought to make the protest more acceptable.
Regarding the NFL’s partnership with Roc Nation, Kaepernick reveals that he declined offers to join the agency or participate in performances with Jay-Z, citing disagreements with some lyrics and principles. He recounts a phone conversation with Jay-Z the day before the partnership was announced, during which he cautioned that the league was using the music industry to manage public perception without genuine commitment. Jay-Z reportedly responded that the deal was already finalized.