The Briefing THE BEEFING: Colin Kaepernick vs the NFL
Nov 27, 2025
Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest in 2016 ignited a fierce backlash, not just from the NFL but also from political figures like Donald Trump. His actions highlighted deep-rooted power imbalances in sports and led to a ripple effect as other players joined his cause. The podcast explores the NFL's delayed response, with policy changes influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement. It also covers Kaepernick's Nike campaign, the confidentiality of his settlement with the league, and the lasting impact on athlete activism in sports.
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How The Protest Began
- Colin Kaepernick first sat during the anthem in August 2016 to protest racial oppression and police brutality.
- He then kneeled on September 1, 2016, drawing national attention and sparking teammate support from Eric Reid.
From Team Protest To National Flashpoint
- The protests quickly spread across teams and provoked intense political backlash, escalating the issue beyond sport.
- High-profile condemnation, notably from Donald Trump, reframed the kneel as a national culture-war flashpoint.
Career Impact And Legal Fight
- Kaepernick opted out of his 49ers contract in March 2016 and remained unsigned after the 2016 season.
- He filed a grievance in October 2017 claiming owners conspired to keep him out of the league.