Football and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick will release a “part political awakening and part memoir” book later this year through his own publishing firm.
The title will be the first book produced by Kaepernick Publishing, a firm the beleaguered quarterback founded in 2019.
The book, according to a statement Kaepernick released, will offer explanations of his decisions that have shaded the political conversations over the last few years in America.
Kaepernick said in a press release, “My protest was the culmination of years of thought and experiences, of learning and unlearning. I want to tell the story of my evolution, and the events that led me to protest systemic oppression, in hopes that it will inspire others to rise in action.”
While his book is a launchpad for Kaepernick Publishing, the firm, according to its founder will subsequently seek to offer platforms to minority writers.
Kaepernick explained to USA Today that his firm would negotiate terms beneficial to writers.
He added that his firm would not “want to monopolize [proceeds] and hold that to ourselves. It’s something that should be distributed to the people who are putting in the work.”
In 2016, Kaepernick came to global attention after his decisions to refuse to stand for the US national anthem during football games made the headlines in the country.
At the time, he said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.
“To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Although he has time and again explained that his intentions and actions are not disrespectful to America, most people in conservative politics have described it as unpatriotic.
His decisions spurred on similar knee-bending reactions to the US anthem from other black players in the NFL.
But Kaepernick’s activism has come at a personal cost. He has, in the last three years, failed to win the interest of NFL teams who may not be eager to sign a player whose politics seem controversial.
