*It’s been over seven years since the former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick made the bold move to remain seated during the national anthem in the 2016 preseason game with the San Francisco 49ers. This decision sparked both intense backlash and a powerful movement. But how did it all start? How did the player’s family life and upbringing influence his decision? Let’s take it back to the beginning.

Early Life: Parents and Adoption

The life of Colin Rand Kaepernick has, by no means, been a smooth road. He was born on November 3, 1987, to his birth mother, Heidi Russo, a 19-year-old who put him up for adoption when he was just a few weeks old. His biological father, an African-American man named Anthony Dennis, fled as soon as he discovered Russo’s pregnancy.

Faced with the prospect of raising a child alone, Russo decided to give her young child to Teresa and Rick Kaepernick, who already had two beautiful children together prior to the adoption: a daughter named Devon and a son called Kyle. The pair had also suffered the loss of two newborns, sons Kent and Lance, which Teresa explained, “left us eventually feeling that our family was incomplete” and led them to pursue adoption.

As a biracial child to white adoptive parents, Colin knew from an early age that he was different even before he could speak. “I knew I was different from my parents and older siblings,” the Super Bowl champ shared. “I never felt that I was supposed to be white or Black. My parents always let me be whoever I needed to be.”

Unfortunately, the world still saw the future athlete through the lens of his race, resulting in him suffering from heart-breaking discrimination and problematic things during his childhood.

“We used to go on driving vacations in summer and stay at motels,” Colin recalled. “And every year, in every motel’s lobby, the same thing happened, getting only worse as I got taller and older. Regardless of how close I stood to my family, people would come up to me, a real hesitant manager, and say: ‘Excuse me. Is there anything I can help you with? ‘”

Going to a white-dominated school only made things worse. Colin often received curious comments and stares. At games, people would say, “Who’s that Black kid? Why is he on the field?” Not knowing that his white parents were right beside them.

Despite his dilemma, the pro footballer credited his adoptive father for instilling strong values and determination in him to survive the racial prejudice. “Being a businessman, my dad constantly emphasized treating people with respect and carrying myself in a certain way,” Colin explained. “And I feel that has helped me deal with difficult situations throughout my life.”

These struggles, in turn, made Colin more considerate about how he presented himself to the world. Ever since he was a little kid, he would dress up real clean and in Alberta clothes to ensure no one raised a finger at him. “I want to be a representative of the African American community and wish to hold and dress myself in a way that reflects that. My goal is for Black kids to see me and think: ‘That’s how a Black man should carry himself.'” Kaepernick mentioned in an interview.

Rick and Teresa always stood with their youngest son throughout his journey. Whether taking him to practices or driving out of town to get cornrows, their unwavering support and companionship are what really helped Colin get through his challenging times.

The 36-year-old athlete has always spoken positively about his parent’s willingness to be open and learn from their mistakes. “They have been very loving in the process, and you know I can’t imagine doing it with anybody else.”

Values: Beliefs and Off-Field Activism

Suffice it to say the rough childhood of Colin played a pivotal role in shaping the man he is today. From the daily reminders of him being different from his loved ones to being on the receiving end of racial and ethnic inequality, these harsh reality checks eventually drove him to become a civil rights activist. He firmly believed in cleansing the American minds from evils such as police brutality and racial injustice.

Colin’s most controversial act during his stride toward a better America for Black folks is still his decision to remain seated during the national anthem of the NFL preseason game on August 26, 2016. This act was done following the police killings of Alton Sterling, Freddy Gray, Charles Kinsey, and Philando Castile.

“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,” Colin replied when asked about the act after the game.

He continued doing this until retired Green Beret Nate Boyer, a former NFL player, convinced him to kneel instead of sitting down as a gesture of respect to the military members. From there onwards, Colin started perhaps the biggest racial and social justice protest in sports across the world, and for the rest of the season, players continued to kneel to show their stance on the matter.

While Colin decided to depart from the team following the extreme criticisms he faced afterward and was not offered an NFL contract, despite his exceptional credentials, he is still remembered as one of the most influential figures in the world of sports and continues to work towards his initiative.

He, alongside his partner Nessa, founded the multi-city traveling Know Your Rights Camp, which aims at empowering disadvantaged youth through education, mass mobilization, and elevating the upcoming generation of leaders. KYRC has raised over $1 million and continues to make generous grants to provide legal resources to fellow activists and protestors.

Additionally, the Colin Kaepernick Foundation works as a nonprofit organization to fight against oppression and police brutality with the help of social activism and education. With the support of Alicia Keys, the late Kobe Bryant, and other activist artists, Colin has rallied and raised generous donations for this cause.

Looking Ahead

Colin’s football career has been on halt since he decided to leave the team in 2016. However, the athlete continues to inspire and assist communities in dire need of help while empowering the next generation of Black youth. The former quarterback is also involved with multiple media projects, running a publishing company amongst his other ventures.

So, while the world continues to be divided over Colin’s act of kneeling during the national anthem, which ultimately ended the athlete’s career, it is an unarguable fact that Colin has done his part in improving the conditions of the undermined communities in America and continues to strive harder every day to achieve his goal.

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