Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was honored this week for his commitment to empowering young people around the United States. Since being out of the NFL following the 2016 season, Kaepernick has been vocally active in political advocacy.
The 2011 second-round pick founded “Know Your Rights Camp” as a nonprofit with the mission “to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization,” per the organization’s website.
A former San Francisco 49ers QB receives his own day
On Tuesday, Mayor Dwayne D. Warren (Orange, New Jersey) read off a proclamation declaring June 24 “Colin Kaepernick Day,” per a post on Instagram by KYRC.
“For his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, education, and equity, our co-founder, Colin Kaepernick (@kaepernick7), was honored today with an official proclamation, declaring June 24th as ‘Colin Kaepernick Day’ in the City of Orange, NJ,” The post from KNRC reads.
“Mayor Dwayne D. Warren, Esq., presented the proclamation in front of a packed auditorium during the Orange Preparatory Academy of Inquiry & Innovation’s 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, where Colin was the surprise special guest speaker.
“He delivered a message that shook the room, rooted in courage, purpose, and the power of trusting your voice and believing in yourself.”
In addition to his many business interests, Kaepernick, 37, is still trying to fight his way back into the league. He’s still training to play quarterback, though it seems unlikely any NFL team would sign him to even a practice-squad contract at this point.
But there is flag football in the upcoming Olympics.
