What quarterback was banned for kneeling?

The quarterback famously associated with kneeling during the national anthem, leading to him being effectively banned from the NFL, is Colin Kaepernick, who began the protest in 2016 to raise awareness about police brutality and racial injustice against Black people and people of color. While he wasn't officially "banned" by league rule, Kaepernick became a free agent after the 2016 season and has not been signed by an NFL team since, a situation widely seen as a consequence of his activism.

What NFL quarterback was banned for kneeling?

Colin Kaepernick. Colin Rand Kaepernick (/ˈkæpərnɪk/ KAP-ər-nik; born November 3, 1987) is an American civil rights activist and former professional football quarterback. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

Who refused to kneel for the national anthem?

While many athletes have protested racial injustice by kneeling for the national anthem, Colin Kaepernick is the most prominent figure who started the movement in 2016, protesting police brutality and oppression of Black people and people of color. Other athletes, like former NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf in 1996 and Orlando Magic player Jonathan Isaac in 2020, have also refused to kneel, citing personal religious or principled beliefs.
 

What exactly happened to Colin Kaepernick?

Colin Kaepernick's NFL career effectively ended after the 2016 season when he protested police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem, leading to him not being re-signed by any team despite being a talented quarterback, and he filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, settling in 2019. He hasn't played since but remains active in media, publishing, and his Know Your Rights Camp, advocating for social justice and continuing to train in hopes of an NFL return. 

Did the NFL punish Colin Kaepernick?

Technically, the NFL did not admit that it conspired to blackball Kaepernick from the league after he began taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. But nontechnically speaking, the NFL lost. Massively. The terms of the settlement, announced on Friday, were not disclosed.

Colin Kaepernick Takes a Knee for National Anthem

Can you be fired for kneeling during anthem?

False. The claim that NFL teams are firing players for kneeling during the national anthem stems from a satirical Facebook post. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team.

How much money did Colin Kaepernick lose by kneeling?

Per this story, Kaepernick also was making $3 million annually in endorsements. The protest probably cost him $30 million. This Business Insider story also notes Kaepernick only received $39.4 million from the "record" seven-year $126 million contract he signed in 2014.

Did NFL ratings drop after kneeling?

Yes, NFL ratings dropped significantly around 2016-2017, coinciding with player protests like kneeling during the National Anthem, and studies found a statistically significant link, with many fans citing the protests as a reason for tuning out, although other factors like media consumption changes and game quality also played roles. While some attributed the decline solely to the protests, research indicated that political polarization (specifically Republicans watching less) and general media shifts were major contributors, with ratings later recovering as the kneeling controversy lessened. 

Is Colin Kaepernick still wealthy?

Yes, Colin Kaepernick is still considered rich, with an estimated net worth around $19-$20 million as of 2025-2026, stemming from his significant NFL earnings (over $43 million in salary) and lucrative ongoing deals, especially with Nike, plus investments in tech (Lumi AI platform) and media ventures, even though he hasn't played in the NFL since 2016.
 

Who had a 26 year NFL career?

The legendary George Blanda played a record 26 seasons in professional football (NFL/AFL) as a quarterback and placekicker, from 1949 to 1975, retiring as the oldest player ever at age 48 and scoring the most points in history at the time.
 

Did Simone Biles kneel for the national anthem?

When she won the all around she was standing and singing the anthem. She never knelt during our anthem.

What does Colin Kaepernick do now?

Colin Kaepernick is actively involved in activism, media, and tech, running his Know Your Rights Camp, launching AI-powered educational tools (Lumi Story AI) for youth, publishing books with his company, and continuing daily training for a potential NFL return, while also being a father and husband to Nessa Diab. He remains a prominent voice for social justice and empowerment for Black and Brown communities, recently partnering with schools for his AI initiatives.
 

Why did Megan Rapinoe kneel during the national anthem?

Megan Rapinoe kneels during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality, following the lead of Colin Kaepernick to show solidarity with marginalized communities, explaining that as a white, gay American, she feels it's her duty to speak up for those whose liberties aren't protected, even if she hasn't experienced the same forms of oppression firsthand, and to spark dialogue about systemic injustice.
 

Does Brittney Griner still kneel for the national anthem?

No, Brittney Griner, after her release from Russian detainment, decided to stand for the national anthem, expressing a deeper appreciation for American freedoms, but she fully supports other athletes who choose to kneel or protest, viewing it as exercising those very rights. While Griner previously vowed not to stand for the anthem in 2020, her perspective shifted after her imprisonment, making her want to stand for the anthem as a symbol of the freedoms she experienced. 

Why did Jonathan Isaac refuse to kneel?

"And I said, 'Fellas, I'm not going to kneel, and I'm not going to wear that T-shirt. Simply because I have another solution. I don't believe that kneeling for the national anthem or wearing a T-shirt is the same thing as saying that we support Black lives. They're not synonymous.

Do NFL players get fined for kneeling?

While the NFL implemented a policy in 2018 that allowed teams to fine players for kneeling during the national anthem if they weren't in the locker room, this rule has not been actively enforced, and no players have been fined for kneeling in recent years due to agreements between the league and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) that effectively put the policy on hold, allowing players to protest without penalty. 

How much money did Nike make from Colin Kaepernick?

Nike's Colin Kaepernick ad sparked a boycott — and earned $6 billion for Nike.

Does Colin Kaepernick have a partner?

Yes, Colin Kaepernick has a long-term partner, media personality and activist Nessa Diab, with whom he welcomed their first child, a daughter, in August 2022. They have been in a relationship since 2015 and made their public debut as a couple in 2016.
 

Who is Tom Brady's net worth?

While exact figures vary, Tom Brady's net worth is estimated to be well over $300 million, driven by his legendary NFL career earnings (over $330M), massive endorsement deals (Nike, Under Armour, TB12), and successful business ventures like TB12 and Autograph, plus his Fox Sports broadcasting contract, making him one of the wealthiest athletes ever, despite his divorce settlement with Gisele Bündchen.
 

How much was Kaepernick's settlement with the NFL?

Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid's collusion grievance settlement with the NFL in 2019 was reportedly less than $10 million in total, split between both players, though the exact amount and breakdown (after legal fees) remain confidential, sources from The Wall Street Journal and ESPN reported. While early rumors suggested figures as high as $60-80 million, credible sources confirmed the actual settlement was significantly lower, ending Kaepernick's long-running dispute over being blackballed from the league.
 

Is kneeling disrespectful to the national anthem?

Whether kneeling during the national anthem is disrespectful is a deeply divided issue, with some viewing it as a patriotic protest for civil rights protected by the First Amendment, while others see it as dishonoring the flag, the country, and veterans; there's no universal agreement, as the act itself can symbolize reverence (like prayer) or protest, depending on the individual's intent, as seen in widespread debate and differing veteran opinions. 

How many NFL players have kneeled for the national anthem?

In the games immediately following Trump's statements, the protest gained broader participation when over 200 players sat or knelt during the anthem, others linked arms with their teammates or raised fists, and three teams chose to stay in the locker room for the anthem.

What does Colin Kaepernick do for money now?

His net worth in 2025 consists of earnings from past NFL contracts and endorsement deals, most notably with Nike. He also makes money through publishing ventures, real estate, and business investments. Kaepernick is most famous for playing quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2016.

Has the NFL rating dropped since protests?

Yes, NFL ratings declined during the years of widespread player protests (starting 2016), with studies and surveys indicating that a significant portion of fans cited the protests, particularly kneeling during the national anthem, as a primary reason for watching less, though other factors like game quality, off-field issues, and cord-cutting also played roles. While some data linked protests directly to viewership drops, others argued the impact was overstated and part of broader media trends, though the league acknowledged concerns about the protests' effect on fans.
 

How did Colin Kaepernick affect Nike sales?

He said despite some Americans vowing to boycott the brand, that didn't affect Nike's numbers. “Sales picked up for Nike after that. And its stock price has done better than its peers in the two years since,” Kaplan said. He said Nike was out in front supporting justice for Black Americans.