Colin Kaepernick: Timeline of a gesture and its echoes

Colin Kaepernick was a second-round draft pick in 2011. next year lhe ed San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl. By 2016, he had begun kneeling on sideline at games during national anm to protest social injustice and police brutality.

Soon after, he was gone from NFL, and he has t played since. Here’s a timeline of Kaepernick’s pro football and post-NFL days since he first kneeled during “ Star-Spangled Banner."

Aug. 26, 2016: During anm before a Packers-49ers preseason game,

Aug. 27, 2016: Kaepernick’s sitdown begins drawing headlines. Some condemn him for dishoring flag and country. Ors applaud his motives. NFL says players are encourd but t required to stand for anm.

Aug. 30, 2016: Former NFL player and ex-Green Beret

Sept. 1, 2016 — Kaepernick kneels before a road game against Chargers and says he will donate $1 million to organizations supporting his aims.

Sept. 5, 2016 — President Barack Obama defends Kaepernick’s protest, saying it is his constitutional right.

Sept. 7, 2016 — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he “doesn’t necessarily agree with what (Kaepernick) is doing,” but supports players who seek changes in society.

Sept. 11, 2016: On first full day of regular season, several players kneel during anm.

Sept. 12, 2016: Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid kneel before 49ers’ home game against Rams. Kaepernick is rehabbing a knee injury and doesn’t play.

Sept. 27, 2016: After criticism from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Kaepernick responds: “He always says make America great again. Well, America has never been great for people of color. That’s something that needs to be addressed. Let’s make America great for first time.”

Oct. 16, 2016: Kaepernick returns as 49ers starter in a 45-16 loss at Buffalo and remains starter rest of season.

Jan. 1, 2017: Kaepernick plays his final NFL game, a 25-23 loss to Seattle.

March 3, 2017: His stint with 49ers, who planned to cut him, ends as Kaepernick opts out of his contract.

Aug. 25, 2017: Although several teams have shown moderate interest in Kaepernick, he gets contract offers. Supporters say team owners are blackballing him, and a group rallies outside NFL headquarters in Manhattan.

Sept. 10, 2017: Without Kaepernick in league, players still kneel during anm.

Sept. 26, 2017: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones locks arms and kneels with his players before anm but stand while it's played.

Oct. 15, 2017 — Kaepernick files a grievance against NFL team owners, citing collusion to keep him out of league.

Dec. 31, 2017: NFL seasons ends with Kaepernick unemployed.

April 18, 2018: As part of ir collusion claim, Kaepernick and his representatives depose Goodell and a variety of NFL owners and executives, including Jones.

May 23, 2018: NFL owners approve a rule banning kneeling during anm. Players have option to stay in locker room. President Trump applauds rule. ... NFL owners soon retract rule because of its divisiveness.

Sept. 3, 2018: As regular season approaches without Kaepernick again, Nike makes quarterback focal point of its sports advertising campaign. “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt.” ... re are calls for boycotting Nike as well as praise for apparel company.

Sept. 9, 2018: A second straight season begins with Kaepernick t on a roster, but with some players still kneeling during anm.

Sept. 26, 2018: Reid, a free nt, finally finds a team, Carolina Panrs, and is congratulated on social media by Kaepernick.

Dec. 30, 2018: regular season ends. Kaepernick remains without an NFL offer.

Feb. 15, 2019:

Aug. 8, 2019: Eyeing an NFL job, Kaepernick sends social media mess to teams that includes a video of him working out.

Sept. 8, 2019: third consecutive full opening day of an NFL season without Kaepernick.

v. 18, 2019: Finally,

Dec. 29, 2019: season ends with Kaepernick unsigned.

Feb. 13, 2020: Kaepernick anunces he will write a memoir, though he still wants to play football.

May 29, 2020: Sparked by death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis pressed a knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes, Kaepernick offers support to nationwide protesters. “We have right to fight back! Rest in power George Floyd.”

May 30, 2020:

June 4, 2020: Many of Kaepernick’s supporters within league release

June 5, 2020:

June 5, 2020: Trump reiterates his criticism of Kaepernick after New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees apologizes for comments about protesters’ goals: president says on Twitter player "should t have taken back his original stance on horing our magnificent American Flag. OLD GLORY is to be revered, cherished, and flown high... We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart. re are or things you can protest, but t our Great American Flag - KNEELING!”