Colin Kaepernick: The George Floyd of the NFL

Colin Kaepernick is never going to give up on his dreams—or at least, that’s the narrative he clings to. Every offseason, like a broken record, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback makes sure the world knows he’s still in peak shape, still ready for an NFL return. And every year, the league responds with deafening silence.

This June was no different. Reports surfaced that Kaepernick’s camp had, yet again, informed teams of his availability (NFL Rumors, Twitter). The timing, as always, aligned with OTAs—when franchises assess their rosters and quarterback depth. But unlike in years past, the news barely made a ripple. No fiery debates, no think pieces, no viral outrage. Just indifference.

The message is clear: Kaepernick’s time in the spotlight is over. No Officer Derek Chauvin needed, as Kaepernick put his own knee on his own neck.

The Financial Cost of Protest

In 2024, Kaepernick’s net worth was estimated at $20 million (Celebrity Net Worth). A respectable sum for most, but a fraction of what he could have earned had he kept his head down and played the game—both on and off the field.

Had he remained a backup QB—even a mediocre one—he could’ve easily pulled in $5-10 million annually in salary alone, plus incentives and endorsements. Instead, he chose activism over longevity, and the financial trade-off is stark.

Now, with no NFL paycheck and no confirmed Nike contract renewal, Kaepernick’s revenue streams are drying up. Maybe he visit Nancy Pelosi’s “strategic insider investments” website.— Because at this rate of legacy Bidenomics, Kaepernick will have a frequent shopper’s card at The Dollar Store. 

Does Keds have a shoe spokesperson? Asking for a friend.

From Super Bowl Phenom to Cultural Footnote

Kaepernick’s rise was electric. Drafted in 2011, he took over for Alex Smith in 2012 and led the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII, nearly defeating the Baltimore Ravens. His dynamic play—a cannon arm and breakaway speed—made him a nightmare for defenses. For a moment, he was the NFL’s future.

But by 2016, his performance faltered. His completion percentage dipped, his decision-making grew erratic, and the 49ers floundered to a 1-10 record in his starts. Then came the kneeling.

What began as a silent protest against perceived police brutality during the national anthem became a cultural detonation. Kaepernick was either a civil rights hero or a traitorous distraction, depending on who you asked. The NFL, caught in the crossfire, quietly exiled him.

The Lawsuit, the Settlement, and the Slow Fade into Obscurity

In 2017, Kaepernick filed a collusion lawsuit against the NFL, alleging teams blackballed him for his activism. He settled in 2019 for a reported $10 million or less (ESPN)—far less than what a starting QB makes in a single season.

Meanwhile, he leveraged his notoriety into Nike deals, documentaries, and speaking gigs. But activism has an expiration date. By 2025, the national conversation has shifted. The post-George Floyd era has cooled, and Trump’s return to the White House has refocused cultural priorities. Kaepernick’s kneeling, once a defining act of defiance, now feels like yesterday’s news.

The Annual Comeback Charade—And Why No One Cares Anymore

Every year, like clockwork, Kaepernick’s team leaks his “readiness” for an NFL return.

• 2020: A high-profile workout that led nowhere.

• 2022: A training video tweet that garnered sympathy but no offers.

• 2025: Muted whispers to reporters—met with total apathy.

The reality? The NFL has moved on. Teams won’t risk the media circus for a 37-year-old QB who hasn’t played in nearly a decade. The league Kaepernick once sued—the “Rich Old White Man’s League” he condemned—now belongs to younger, faster, and far less controversial players.

What’s Left for Kaepernick?

With no NFL return in sight and his activist star fading, what’s next for Kaepernick?

1. No More NAACP Image Awards – Once a darling of social justice accolades, Kaepernick has been relegated to the sidelines, just another voice in an oversaturated movement.

2. Personal Life? – Is he married? Planning a family? Will he raise militant children to carry on his legacy? The public knows little—because frankly, few are asking.

3. Business Ventures? – Without Nike’s deep pockets, he’ll need a new revenue stream. Maybe a podcast? A tell-all book? Or perhaps a pivot to political grifting—a well-trodden path for fallen activists.

The Tragic Irony of It All

Kaepernick’s desperation is palpable. The man who rejected the NFL now begs for its validation. The activist who claimed moral superiority now pleads for a spot in the system he once condemned.

Even his football legacy is eroding. Once a Super Bowl-caliber QB, he’s now a footnote—the guy who knelt, not the guy who electrified the league.

The Final Reality Check

Kaepernick will likely keep training. Keep tweeting. Keep hoping. But the truth is undeniable: His NFL career ended in 2016. His cultural relevance has expired. The world has moved on—and it’s time he did too.

For a man who once commanded global attention, there’s no tragedy quite like irrelevance.