Colin Kaepernick discusses NFL politics and memoir

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick appeared on ‘The View’ to discuss his new memoir, ‘The Perilous Fight,’ and reflect on the decade following his 2016 national anthem protests.

Kaepernick attributed his inability to secure a new team after his protest to political reasons and power dynamics. He noted that while he did not protest the NFL itself, the league's response was telling of its political stance, pointing to owners' donations to Donald Trump. He also emphasized the collective power of players, noting that because the NFL is approximately 70% Black, unified player action could significantly influence the league's direction.

During the interview, Kaepernick also shared personal details from his upbringing in Turlock, California. He discussed how experiencing racism as an adopted child in a predominantly white community shaped his perspective and motivated his later activism, aiming to counter narratives that he was a privileged individual without a personal stake in racial issues.