Colin Kaepernick has officially closed the door on the NFL. The former quarterback, who hasn't taken a snap since 2016, told NBC News he won't watch a single game this season. His reason? He believes the league blackballed him and his protesting brothers.
Kaepernick, now 38, made headlines back in 2016 when he started kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. That decision, he says, cost him his career. He's stuck to his guns ever since, refusing to tune in to the league that he feels turned its back on him.
Instead, he's turning his attention to college football. In his own words, he's not going to support an organization that's actively blackballing him and targeting his fellow protesters. He's also gearing up for the release of his memoir, The Perilous Fight, on Sept. 15, where he opens up about the responsibility he feels toward the Black community.
But here's the thing: NFL fans aren't exactly shaking in their boots. In fact, many are rolling their eyes at the announcement. Social media lit up with reactions ranging from sarcastic to outright dismissive.
One fan pointed out the irony, saying Kaepernick's anthem protests inspired people to turn their backs on the NFL, and now he's joining them. Another fan compared his boycott to Trump's claims about the league, noting that the NFL is still thriving and Kaepernick is just looking for attention.
The sarcasm was thick on Twitter. Fans joked that the billion-dollar league will surely go bankrupt without Kaepernick's support. One user quipped, "Oh no! Kap is boycotting the NFL? What will that billion $ business ever do without his support?"
It's clear that Kaepernick's stance still divides the fanbase. Some respect his conviction, but many see it as a publicity stunt. This isn't the first time he's made waves, though. He's been honored by the Muhammad Ali Center for his activism, but his relationship with the league remains strained.
The 2026 NFL season kicks off on September 9 with the Seahawks facing the Patriots. Kaepernick won't be watching, but that hasn't stopped fans from planning their own boycotts for various reasons.
Whether you agree with him or not, Kaepernick's impact on the NFL conversation is undeniable. He's still training every day at 4 a.m., staying ready for a return that may never come. But for now, he's content to watch from the sidelines, and he's made it clear he's not coming back.
