Colin Kaepernick discusses NFL exclusion and his activism in recent interview

Colin Kaepernick, former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, stated in an interview with NBC News that he continues to watch football, primarily preferring college games. Kaepernick, 38, has not played in the NFL since the conclusion of the 2016 season, a period that began following his decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustices. He expressed his discontent with the NFL, stating, "I’m not gonna support an organization that one, is actively blackballing me, but two, has targeted my brothers who have been protesting as part of this as well." Kaepernick, along with former teammate Eric Reid, previously filed a lawsuit against the NFL alleging collusion, which was settled in early 2019. During his time away from the league, Kaepernick has been active in social justice initiatives, including his “Know Your Rights” camps aimed at educating youth and his foundation's efforts to fund independent autopsies, such as one for Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells. When asked about his legacy, Kaepernick stated that he focuses on impactful work rather than legacy, saying, "At the end of the day, people will decide what that legacy is, and hopefully that’s a positive one."