10 Years Later: Where Is Colin Kaepernick Now? What’s Changed?

A decade ago, Colin Kaepernick was an NFL quarterback. Today, he is better known as an activist, author, entrepreneur and one of the most influential figures in the modern fight for racial justice. Sept. 1, 2026, marks 10 years since Kaepernick first knelt during the national anthem before a San Francisco 49ers preseason game, turning a personal act of protest into a national conversation about racial injustice and police brutality. Where is Colin Kaepernick now? 

Let’s take a look back at the NFL alum’s transition from football star to activist. 

Taking a knee: Colin Kaepernick’s message to the world.

On Sept. 1, 2016, Kaepernick took an iconic kneel during the national anthem. Why? After speaking with former U.S. Army Green Beret Nate Boyer, Kaepernick chose kneeling as what he considered a more respectful way to protest racial injustice and police brutality across the nation. 

Kaepernick’s protest came during a particularly turbulent year in the United States, as a series of high-profile police killings sparked protests and renewed national debate over race, policing and accountability. In 2016, U.S. police recorded approximately 1,091 killings, with young Black men facing a disproportionately high risk of being killed by police.

Several cases that year became flashpoints for the growing movement against police brutality.

On July 5, 2016, Alton Sterling was shot and killed by police officers outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His death prompted protests in the city and across the country, becoming another rallying point for activists demanding greater accountability from law enforcement.

The following day, Philando Castile was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. Castile told Officer Jeronimo Yanez that he was carrying a legally owned firearm before Yanez shot him multiple times. Yanez was later acquitted of second-degree manslaughter and other charges in connection with the shooting.

Kaepernick’s kneel was a call to action and a push for change, one that came right on the world’s biggest sports stage. The decision changed his career—and arguably NFL culture forever.

Kaepernick played his final NFL game on Jan. 1, 2017. After becoming a free agent following the 2016 season, he was not signed by another team. He later filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners, alleging they had colluded to prevent him from being signed. The grievance was settled in 2019, but the football star never returned to the field. His activism kicked into full throttle. 

So, where is Colin Kaepernick in 2026? Find out on the next page.