Colin Kaepernick named Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year

Colin Kaepernick has been named the recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award by the Muhammad Ali Center. The honor, to be presented on November 7 in Louisville, Kentucky, recognizes his commitment to racial justice and underserved communities.

Lonnie Ali, co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, noted the parallel between Kaepernick and Muhammad Ali, stating that both athletes used their platforms to advocate for equality and human dignity despite significant personal and professional costs.

The award follows a decade of debate surrounding Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police violence. Originally sitting during the anthem, Kaepernick transitioned to kneeling after consulting with military veteran Nate Boyer to show respect to service members while maintaining his focus on social inequality.