Nike's "Air Force 1 '07 x Colin Kaepernick" shoes sold out in less than 24 hours after launching on Dec. 23, 2019. (Image: Twitter, Colin Kaepernick, Nike shoe promotional screenshot)
Illustration on Nike and Colin Kaepernick by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times
FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2016 file photo, from left, San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold, quarterback Colin Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif. In recent months, Colin Kaepernick has become comfortable with people knowing him as more than a laser-focused football player as he always previously preferred it. Perhaps, through the anthem protest and his emergence as an outspoken activist for minorities, Kaepernick has improved his image in the process. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
In a CNN forum Wednesday called “Patriotism, the Players and the President,” Spike Lee began yelling about former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began protesting the national anthem last year, not being signed by any NFL team this year.
In this Sept. 1, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, center, kneels during the National Anthem before an NFL preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers in San Diego. What started as a protest against police brutality has mushroomed into a divisive debate over the future of a football player who refused to stand for the national anthem and now faces what his fans see as blackballing for speaking out in a country roiled by racial strife. The once-rising star and Super Bowl quarterback has been unemployed since March, when he opted out of his contract and became a free agent who could sign with any team. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
FILE - In this July 16, 2014, file photo, San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick arrives at the ESPY Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Video and pictures from social media posted on May 1, 2017, show Kaepernick standing outside a New York City parole office with two boxes of custom-made suits. An Instagram post by Kaepernick’s “Know Your Rights Camp” campaign says the suits will make parolees “better equipped to achieve gainful employment” and “live more productive lives.” (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File )
In this combination photo, director Spike Lee, left, appears at the premiere of "Touched With Fire" on Feb. 10, 2016, in New York and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick appears at a news conference on Jan. 1, 2017, after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, Calif. Lee says it's "fishy" that Kaepernick has remained an NFL free agent. On an Instagram post, Sunday, March 19, 2017, Lee questioned what crime Kaepernick has committed. He says the quarterback's lack of suitors "smells mad fishy to me." Kaepernick's season-long protest of the "Star Spangled Banner" ahead of 49ers games became a topic of national debate last season. (AP Photo/Files)
In this Dec. 11, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick stands in the bench area during the second half of the team's NFL football game against the New York Jets in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick celebrates after running for a 15-yard touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game in New Orleans. In 2012, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith went down in midseason with a concussion to be replaced by a not-yet-famous second-year quarterback, Kaepernick. He led the Niners to a 5-2 record down the stretch and into the playoffs on a roll. He ran for 181 yards in his playoff debut and took San Francisco all the way to the Super Bowl, where he joined Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to pass for 300 yards and rush for 50 in the title game. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick either remained seated or took a knee during the national anthem before several NFL games this season as forms of protest against social injustice. Kaepernick's actions became one of the stories of the year and spurred other athletes to follow suit in various ways. (ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS)
When Eric Branch of he San Francisco Chronicle asked Colin Kaepernick whether he had voted, he replied "no." When asked whether he planned to vote, he gave the same one-word reply: "no." (Associated Press)
In this Oct. 2, 2016, file photo, from left, San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold, quarterback Colin Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
In this photo take Oct. 23, 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms up before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Santa Clara, Calif. In recent months, Kaepernick has become comfortable with people knowing him as more than a laser-focused football player as he always previously preferred it. Perhaps, through the anthem protest and his emergence as an outspoken activist for minorities, he has improved his image in the process. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2015, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Santa Clara, Calif. 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has a torn ligament in the thumb on his throwing hand and surgery has been recommended. That could happen as soon as this week once he receives a second opinion on the injury. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) carries past New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) avoids New York Giants middle linebacker Jameel McClain (53) and Quintin Demps (35) as he slides during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes as running back Carlos Hyde blocks St. Louis Rams defensive end Eugene Sims (97) in the second quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, in St Louis. (AP Photo/Billy Hurst)
© Copyright 2022 The Washington Times, LLC
3600 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002