Ten years after beginning his protest against racial injustice, Colin Kaepernick says he remains committed to returning to the NFL to challenge the league's culture.

Colin Kaepernick stated he is still training to return to the NFL, nearly a decade after he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality. Speaking at the 2026 Black Footwear Forum in Detroit, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback argued that his career should not have been ended by his activism. He emphasized that he continues to seek a return to the field to demonstrate his merit as a player and to challenge the league's treatment of athletes who advocate for social change.

Addressing NFL Career and Activism

Kaepernick addressed narratives surrounding his departure from the league, specifically rejecting claims that he was a poor player or that his activism was financially motivated. He noted that he filed a grievance against the NFL in 2017 alleging collusion by team owners, which resulted in a settlement. He also clarified that the decision to kneel during the national anthem was made in consultation with teammate Eric Reid, rather than being suggested by military veteran Nate Boyer.

Critique of League Leadership

During the forum, Kaepernick criticized the NFL for prioritizing obedience over merit. He alleged that the league previously offered him and Eric Reid a multimillion-dollar deal to become the faces of a social justice campaign, which he declined because he believed it was intended to suppress protests rather than effect structural change. He also contrasted his own grievance process with the partnership between the NFL and Roc Nation, questioning the focus on individual advancement versus collective community benefit.