# Colin Kaepernick knelt 10 years ago. America responded with a clear warning to Black people

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-09-01 16:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Colin Kaepernick marks a decade since his NFL protests by stating he no longer watches the professional league.

## Intelligence Brief
In a recent update regarding his current relationship with professional football, Kaepernick stated that he does not watch the NFL. While he has distanced himself from the professional league, he specified that he continues to watch college football. This development marks a significant milestone in the timeline of his public departure from the league's active environment. The coverage provided by The New York Times emphasizes the duration of time that has passed since the protests began, explicitly noting the ten-year gap. The reporting focuses on Kaepernick's personal viewing habits and his current stance toward the NFL.


By contrasting his refusal to watch the professional game with his continued interest in the collegiate level, the outlet highlights a definitive boundary he has drawn between the two tiers of American football. No other news organizations are cited in the current coverage beyond this specific report from The New York Times. To understand why this current update is significant, readers must consider the context of the protest that occurred a decade ago. Kaepernick's actions ten years prior sparked a national conversation regarding racial justice and the role of athletes in political expression. The reporting links this anniversary to the long-term consequences of those actions.


The event serves as a reminder of the friction between Kaepernick and the NFL establishment, which has persisted for a decade, leading to his current status as a non-viewer of the professional sport. Moving forward, observers can monitor if further statements are made regarding his relationship with the NFL as the anniversary period continues. Based on the facts provided, the primary point of interest is the contrast between his avoidance of the NFL and his engagement with college football. There is no mention of a return to the league or current negotiations, meaning the focus remains on his stated preference for the college game. The timeline established by The New York Times suggests that the legacy of the protest remains a defining element of his public identity ten years later.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo Sports | NFL Fans React To Colin Kaepernick's Boycott Announcement | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFBVV95cUxNTmJnQVZRSGFkemNfbngwZkgyTVFEVXJxeUxXb180dXRuQkdZV3JXU2RSdzhQWDgwOVExNXZvTEtHNXNNX2NraF9ha1VLcVhrMkxPRHB2d0hCZWdqMHR4MkFfVnQ0ZE5sVFhxRUF2LXFRaklDcWhHM3p5cE1qWUlCQnROLTc0MGNq?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Former NFL Star Colin Kaepernick Announces Boycott Of League | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFBVV95cUxNNDE3SmxjZjN1MDZRTENjSFYwU0FpcE5tUHRlWlVRUFF1Yy1SNWttaE9xVjJpSmZzNy1sa2pFVjZtdlY2V1l0V1AtTWJ3MFZOdFBYZWdpYmNodG52bG11T2JteWE5WDdxMDM2UHBuRjN0TjhIYVV0dzZxWDRHWEhJUUo2dGgzc1Iy?oc=5) |
| The New York Times | Colin Kaepernick, 10 years after protest, won’t watch NFL: ‘I watch college football’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxQQnlFQnlyRjFfVzBhSW9LOWNrZjBCRWJGTVg2cWV3bGhfQl9TaU5MbURTRlZza2Z5ejIyT3ZlMnhWS3I4andTTngwZVFJd1JpUXV5NkdqY2gwUHhUVEptYktLSmxweHBBbm1rcExGcmVnd3hGaF9GZDU2eHRTWXNCTnVZdjllbzgwRV81Z19sY2dOZldPNS1HOEZxSXFpRDh2?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-09-01/colin-kaepernick-knelt-10-years-ago-america-responded-with-a-clear-warning-to*