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Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

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Off The Field: Five years after Kaepernick kneeling

Colin+Kaepernick+billboard+for+ad+campaign+near+Maddison+Square+Garden+in+New+York.+Photo+credit%3A+Brecht+Bug%2FFlickr
Colin Kaepernick billboard for ad campaign near Maddison Square Garden in New York. Photo credit: Brecht Bug/Flickr

NFL fans and activists will always remember Aug. 26, 2016, as the day 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, knelt on the field during the national anthem.

Before the start of the San Francisco 49ers preseason game five years ago, the media displayed Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem as a protest against racial inequality in America.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick stated.

At the time, senseless beatings and killings of unarmed people of color seemed like they were happening too often.

Most people protested on the streets and through social media, but Kaepernick chose to use his platform on the field to peacefully protest in his own way.

In doing so, this decision came with nationwide backlash and disgust that such an action was taken.

In 2017, in the off-season, Kaepernick walked away from the 49ers and head into free agency.

Kaepernick went for months without a team approaching him for a deal to play in the NFL, and it was clear that the former 49ers quarterback was exiled from the league.

Although Kaepernick was out of the NFL, players showed support across the country, and eventually, other athletes were seen kneeling at many games during the national anthem.

In October. 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, where he accused the NFL owners of colluding against him by keeping him away from football.

After the investigation, the league came to the decision that there was no collusion against Kaepernick.

In 2019, Nike worked with Kaepernick on an ad campaign led by the slogan, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Although Colin Kaepernick has been out of work for 5 years, his actions shall never be forgotten by anyone standing for social injustice issues.

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About the Contributor
Matthew Ramirez, Co-Sports Editor
Matthew Ramirez is a journalism major and Co-Sports Editor for Cerritos College’s newspaper Talon Marks. He plans to transfer to a Cal State but is undecided on which to attend. He enjoys watching sports, collecting trading cards, and binge watching cartoons. Matthew hopes to cover one of his favorite sports teams in the future in either broadcasting work or covering the team behind the scenes.
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    Araceli CookAug 29, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    I would like to get ahold of Collin Kapernek, I am also putting my reputation and sacrifice to stand for injustice for bus drivers and the transportation shortage field. The only difference is I’m not wealthy. I am receiving repercussions for and depend on a check to support my household. if there is any way he can contact me I would appreciated. Mrs Cook

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Off The Field: Five years after Kaepernick kneeling