The self-proclaimed leader of the "let's kneel during the national anthem until something changes" movement opted out of his contract with the San Fransisco 49ers on Wednesday and is looking for a new job. Yes, Colin Kaepernick, the man who led his team at quarterback last year to a 1-10 record, is hitting the road.
Kaepernick started a protest last season to raise awareness for what he called social injustice. The protest included him wearing socks with white pigs dressed as policemen to practice and refusing to stand during the national anthem. He has since doubled down on his views, even joining the controversial #BlackLivesMatter movement.
????????? Repost from @kaepernick7 - Know Your History: Black History Month. Black History Month is both a testament... https://t.co/7bu4ZdfrKc pic.twitter.com/3QFBRLMRKr
— KnowYourRightsCamp (@yourrightscamp) February 28, 2017
The 49ers and bay area remained extremely loyal to Kaepernick during his protest, awarding him with the highest honor a 49er can receive when they voted him the winner of the Len Eshmont Award. The award is granted to the teammate that "best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team."
Oddly enough, Kaepernick was raised by white parents who adopted him before the age of four in an affluent neighborhood outside of San Fransisco with an African-American population of 1.7 percent.
However, some say Kaepernick should not be leading the movement against police brutality.
Ray Lewis' upbringing is far different than Kaepernick's. The former NFL star linebacker was raised in rural Florida without a father. He was arrested on drug offenses in high school and was acquitted in 2000 for a double murder before becoming a motivational speaker and leader throughout urban America.
He still stands for the national anthem.