Colin Kaepernick is still fighting – for justice and for his football career
Summary
In this Fresh Air interview, Tanya Mosley speaks with Colin Kaepernick about his new memoir, The Perilous Fight. Kaepernick recounts childhood experiences of racism in a predominantly white town and details the origins of his anthem protest, correcting the narrative that Nate Boyer conceived the knee. He discusses the NFL's collusion against him, the league's treatment of player injuries, and why he continues to train despite being blacklisted.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Colin Kaepernick and his memoir
Childhood incident: Being tied to a tree by neighbors
Navigating race as a black child in a white household
Cultural tensions and finding mentorship outside the home
Sports as an objective escape from subjective bias
Context for the 2016 protest: Police killings and history
Correcting the origin story of the kneeling protest
Pre-game preparation and the weight of performance
Media coverage and the rumor of not wanting to play
NFL attempts to buy silence and political stance
Roger Goodell's apology and lack of systemic change
Player solidarity, fear, and the power of collective action
Inside the NFL Combine: Dehumanizing practices
Business case for protest: Nike and consumer alignment
Hidden injuries and the NFL's treatment of players
Concussions and the decision on children playing football
Why Kaepernick still trains and refuses to accept defeat
Closing remarks and preview of next episode
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