Kaepernick
Kaepernick refers to Colin Kaepernick, the American football quarterback who in 2016 began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.
The gesture sparked intense debate about patriotism, free speech, and athlete activism.
To Kaepernick or to take a knee now broadly means to protest through symbolic, nonviolent refusal to participate in expected rituals.
His name has become shorthand for the controversy itself: They're afraid of another Kaepernick situation.
Lowering onto bent legs
- anthemOfficial song of praise
- NFLPro football organization
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- police brutalityUnjustified force by officers
Black Lives Matter · social justice · civil rights · activism · racial inequality · solidarity · demonstration · dissent
Passing position in football
- 49ers1849 gold seekers
- San FranciscoNorthern California metropolis
- touchdownSix-point gridiron play
- NFLPro football organization
draft · passing · scrambling · dual-threat · Nevada · combine · Super Bowl · NFC Championship
Triumph personified
- Just Do ItAthletic brand's famous motto
- Time magazineProminent American news periodical
- GQMen's style publication
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
face · symbol · jersey sales · merchandise · cultural icon · representation · influence · celebrity
Bearing no signature
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- blackballedRejected by anonymous vote
exile · free agency · workout · controversy · retaliation · lockout · unemployment · talent
Forceful contact or consequence
- influencePower to affect others
- athlete activismSports figures promoting causes
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- Muhammad AliLegendary heavyweight champion
history · courage · sacrifice · career · conversation · awareness · change · dialogue
kneeling
Lowering onto bent legs
police brutality · Black Lives Matter · social justice · civil rights · activism · racial inequality · solidarity · demonstration · dissent · systemic racism
quarterback
Passing position in football
- 49ers1849 gold seekers
- San FranciscoNorthern California metropolis
- touchdownSix-point gridiron play
NFL · draft · passing · scrambling · dual-threat · Nevada · combine · Super Bowl · NFC Championship · offense
Nike
Triumph personified
- Just Do ItAthletic brand's famous motto
- Time magazineProminent American news periodical
- GQMen's style publication
ambassador · face · symbol · jersey sales · merchandise · cultural icon · representation · influence · celebrity · endorsement
unsigned
Bearing no signature
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
blackballed · exile · free agency · workout · controversy · retaliation · lockout · unemployment · talent · capable
impact
Forceful contact or consequence
- influencePower to affect others
- athlete activismSports figures promoting causes
- precedentPrior authoritative example
Muhammad Ali · history · courage · sacrifice · career · conversation · awareness · change · dialogue · remembrance
KaepernickDonald Trump
law and order · Tucker Carlson · Sean Hannity · thin blue line
Kaepernickjingoism
Bellicose extreme patriotism