Full Breakdown
Colin Kaepernick Says NFL Is Still Blackballing Him as He Prepares Memoir
9/3/2026, 12:23:16 AM
Core Event: 2026 Interview Highlights Ongoing Grievances
In an NBC News interview published on September 1, 2026, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said the NFL is “actively blackballing” him and targeting other protesting players. He linked the league’s behavior to rapper Jay-Z’s recent freestyle at a Yankee Stadium concert, which Kaepernick interpreted as evidence of a “guilty conscience.” The remarks come as Kaepernick readies the release of his memoir, *The Perilous Fight*, scheduled for September 15, 2026.
Background & Context: From 2016 Protest to 2026 Fallout
Kaepernick first knelt during the national anthem on August 14, 2016 and later sat during a preseason game on August 26, 2016, sparking a league-wide debate over police brutality and racial injustice. After the 2016 season he became a free agent and filed a collusion grievance in November 2017, which was settled confidentially in early 2019.
Since then he has continued activism through Know Your Rights camps, independent autopsies, and a partnership with the National Association of Black Bookstores for his memoir tour. The NFL launched the Players Coalition in 2017 and pledged more than $575 million to social-justice causes, but Kaepernick says the league has not materially changed its treatment of him.
Data & Statistics
- Protest period: August 14 2016 – January 1 2017.
- Settlement: 2019, undisclosed sum.
- NFL social-justice contributions: Over $575 million since 2017 (league statement).
Official Statements & Responses
The NFL denies blackballing Kaepernick. In a 2020 video message after the George Floyd protests, Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black people.” The league’s public statements emphasize partnerships with thousands of organizations and the $575 million contribution figure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm not gonna support an organization that one, is actively blackballing me, but two, has targeted my brothers who have been protesting as part of this as well,” — Colin Kaepernick.
- “Those are decisions that each individual owner has to make and their clubs, coaches, GMs,” — Roger Goodell.
What’s Next
Kaepernick’s memoir *The Perilous Fight* will be released on September 15, 2026, followed by a national speaking tour. He has pledged an additional $1 million to community organizations and will receive the Muhammad Ali Center’s Humanitarian of the Year Award on Nov. 7, 2026. The interview underscores his continued refusal to watch NFL games, opting instead for college football, while he seeks to keep the conversation about systemic racism and league accountability alive.
