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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsColin Kaepernick Is Recipient of 2017 Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award
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Steadfast in his fight for social justice and committed to his beliefs no matter the cost, Colin Kaepernick is the recipient of the 2017 Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award
By Michael Rosenberg November 30, 2017
If I was walking down the highway with a quarter in my pocket and a briefcase full of truth, Id be so happy. Muhammad Ali, Sports Illustrated, Feb. 19, 1968
Colin Kaepernick made his truth known when he first decided not to stand for the national anthem. He had a lot of football left to play and a lot more money to make when he made his decision. It was late August, 2016. People who were anonymous in life had become famous in death. Philando Castile. Eric Garner. Alton Sterling. Freddie Gray. They were tragic symbols of a society that had taken a terribly wrong turn. As the anthem played ahead of the 49ers' preseason game against the Texans, Kaepernick, San Francisco's 28-year-old quarterback at the time, quietly took a seat on the bench.
It took two weeks for anyone from the media to ask him about it. Kaepernick explained that he was making a statement about inequality and social justice, about the ways this country 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, he added. There are bodies in the street, he said then, and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.
more:
https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2017/11/30/colin-kaepernick-muhammad-ali-legacy-award
underpants
(182,878 posts)Right wing heads
DangerousUrNot
(431 posts)Freethinker65
(10,048 posts)jalan48
(13,883 posts)tblue37
(65,487 posts)Lucinda
(31,170 posts)kwassa
(23,340 posts)lamp_shade
(14,841 posts)Paladin
(28,272 posts)MuseRider
(34,119 posts)He deserves it!
Kittycow
(2,396 posts)Yay!
Floyd R. Turbo
(26,584 posts)Rene
(1,183 posts)malaise
(269,157 posts)Rec
Deuce
(959 posts)Tiggeroshii
(11,088 posts)He'e going to be a legend -not because of his skill at a game, but at using that platform to better the lives of others.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)for refusing to be war fodder like his black brothers. Went to jail for it too.
There was a huge uproar over it too. Just like with Kaepernick.
I think this is so cool!
ATL Ebony
(1,097 posts)rurallib
(62,448 posts)If the champ were still alive, I believe he would be proud
cp
(6,655 posts)Congratulations!
LiberalLovinLug
(14,176 posts)The blacklisting of him by NFL owners is a steep price to pay for it. But he will get a place in history for sure.
Solomon
(12,319 posts)Yes. He eventually got it back, but not at the level it could have been. Youth is something you can never get back.
Brother Buzz
(36,463 posts)before he discovered political activism. All the NFL teams know Kaepernick is damaged goods, a head case. And he's not blacklisted if he'd be willing to sign for a fourth of what he was making with the 49ers; every team needs a backup for their backup quarterback, and Kaepernick would fill that position wonderfully.
The ONE thing going for Kaepernick is his incredible rocket arm, and it would serve him well if he was to choose a baseball career, à la Tim Tebow, instead of football; not many people know Kaepernick was drafted by the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher in 2009.
Solomon
(12,319 posts)I'm sick of detractors trying this bullshit. If his "career was over before he discovered political activism" he would have never had the opportunity to sit during the anthem as an NFL quarterback. Way to rain on the parade.
Iggo
(47,565 posts)argyl
(3,064 posts)FuzzyRabbit
(1,969 posts)Black athletes who take a stand are persecuted harshly by whites:
Muhammad Ali
John Carlos and Tommie Smith
and now Colin Kaepernik
None of them did anything extraordinarily difficult, yet they scared the bejesus out of the white establishment.
Muhammad Ali merely spoke out against the Vietnam war, like millions of other Americans. But he was black.
John Carlo and Tommie Smith merely raised their arms. But they were black.
And Kaepernik merely sat on a bench. But he is black.
Leghorn21
(13,526 posts)FuzzyRabbit
(1,969 posts)Back in the 1960s I publicly did what both Kaepernick and Ali did. So did lots of other people. But I am white and not a sports celebrity, so much to my dismay no one noticed or if they did, they never mentioned it.
disillusioned73
(2,872 posts)All undeniable facts..
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)so even better.
bluestarone
(17,030 posts)happy for you
ismnotwasm
(42,008 posts)Binkie The Clown
(7,911 posts)ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)Solly Mack
(90,785 posts)annabanana
(52,791 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)marble falls
(57,204 posts)HughBeaumont
(24,461 posts). . . . and I'm LOVING IT!!
Congratulations, Kaep. Keep on fighting.
cyndensco
(1,697 posts)Denis 11
(280 posts)KPN
(15,650 posts)Take that Donald -- and all the racist pigs who support him.
raven mad
(4,940 posts)He is one. This subscriber to SI says YAY