Why did Colin Kaepernick stop playing football? Why did he start the kneeling movement?

On August 26, 2016, during a preseason game between San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, n -49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick opted against standing during national anm in protest against police brutality against African-American community. While it is customary to stand during national anm, Kaepernick chose to kneel when anm was being played. More than three years since  'Colin Kaepernick kneeling' movement started, fans still wonder what, if anything, lies ahead for quarterback in NFL.

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Why did Colin Kaepernick stop playing football? Colin Kaepernick kneeling movement

After kneeling during national anm for first time during preseason game, Kaepernick continued his protest against racial injustice throughout 2016 NFL season. His protests were generally subject to polarising reactions. On one hand, his actions were praised by several athletes in United States. Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel, and several ors voiced ir support for Colin Kaepernick movement. On or hand, Kaepernick was largely criticised for disrespecting United States, primarily armed forces of country. 

Why did Colin Kaepernick stop playing football?

After 2016 season,  49ers told Kaepernick that he would be released by franchise. On March 3, 2017, Kaepernick opted out of his 49ers contract, thus entering free ncy. While it was expected that Kaepernick would be snapped by ar franchise ahead of 2017 season, a move failed to materialise for quarterback who had firmly established himself as a political activist at that point. He went unsigned through 2017 offseason, but reportedly held talks with Seattle Seahawks. 

In vember 2017, Kaepernick put ar dent in his relationship with NFL when he filed a grievance against league claiming owners are colluding against him in order to keep him out of NFL. In February 2019, quarterback withdrew his grievance after it was reported he had reached a confidential settlement with league.

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Does Kaepernick still play in NFL?

As of w, answer to question remains in negative. After his legal battle with league was over, Kaepernick started putting work in gym and on field in order to facilitate a move back to NFL. In vember 2019, NFL set up a workout for Kaepernick in Atlanta, Georgia. All 32 NFL teams were invited to private session with  media being barred during workout. However, just 30 minutes prior to workout session, Kaepernick abruptly changed his workout location to a nearby school in Atlanta that allowed media to attend session.  downside was that privately held workout was attended by only seven NFL franchises.

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Does Kaepernick still play in NFL? Colin Kaepernick movement

Despite being away from NFL for three years, Kaepernick continues to remain one of prominent sports personalities in United States, especially for his work in support of oppressed communities. 32-year-old has reportedly donated over $1 million to multiple communities in country and has taken part in several campaigns during his time away from NFL. Recently, Kaepernick tweeted in support of protesters expressing outr at killing of George Floyd - an unarmed African-American - by a police officer in Minneapolis.

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