Colin Kaepernick Early Life

Colin Kaepernick's Early Life: From Turbulent Beginnings to NFL Stardom

Introduction:

Colin Kaepernick's name is synonymous with social activism and a pivotal moment in NFL history. But behind the headlines and controversies lies a compelling story of a complex individual shaped by his early life experiences. This in-depth exploration delves into Kaepernick's childhood, highlighting the formative influences, challenges, and triumphs that propelled him to become a renowned quarterback and a figurehead for social justice. We'll examine his family background, his athletic journey, and the key events that shaped the man he is today, moving beyond the controversies to understand the individual behind the public persona. This comprehensive look at Colin Kaepernick's early life aims to provide a nuanced understanding of his background and the factors contributing to his remarkable trajectory.

1. A Challenging Childhood and Unstable Family Dynamics:

Colin Kaepernick's early years were marked by instability. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he experienced a fractured family dynamic. His biological father was absent from his life, and his mother, Teresa Kaepernick, struggled with addiction. This contributed to a series of moves and placements, including time spent in foster care. The lack of consistent parental guidance and a stable home environment undeniably impacted his formative years, shaping his resilience and independence. This period instilled in him a strength and self-reliance that would later become evident in his athletic pursuits and his unwavering commitment to his beliefs. The constant upheaval also fostered a deep understanding of hardship and a desire to create stability for himself.

2. Finding Stability and a Passion for Sports in Turlock, California:

A turning point came when Kaepernick's mother relinquished custody, and he was raised by Rick and Teresa Kaepernick, a white couple from Turlock, California. This adoptive family provided the stability he desperately needed. Living in Turlock gave him a sense of belonging and a more structured environment to grow. It was here that his love for sports, particularly football, flourished. The structured environment of a small town, coupled with the support of his adoptive parents, allowed his athletic talent to develop, laying the foundation for his future success. He found solace and purpose on the football field, channeling his energy and emotions into the sport.

3. Early Athletic Prowess: A Multi-Sport Star:

Kaepernick wasn't just a football player; he excelled in several sports, demonstrating exceptional athleticism. He played basketball and baseball, highlighting his versatility and physical gifts. This multi-sport background contributed to his agility, coordination, and overall athleticism, skills that later proved invaluable in his football career. The competitive drive fostered by participation in various sports instilled a strong work ethic and a desire to constantly improve, traits that would propel him to success on the football field. He demonstrated a natural aptitude for sports, but also developed a rigorous training ethic.

4. High School Success and the Path to College Football:

At Pitman High School in Turlock, Kaepernick's football career truly took off. He established himself as a standout player, showcasing exceptional talent as a quarterback. His success on the field earned him recognition from college scouts, paving the way for his college football career. His high school years were a period of significant growth, both athletically and personally. The support of his coaches and teammates played a crucial role in his development, fostering confidence and leadership qualities. His high school performance served as a springboard to higher education and the next stage of his football journey.


5. University of Nevada, Reno: Refining Skills and Gaining Recognition:

Kaepernick chose the University of Nevada, Reno, for his college football career. This decision proved pivotal in his development as a quarterback. He honed his skills under the guidance of his coaches and continued to improve his athletic abilities. His performances at Nevada garnered attention, solidifying his position as a promising prospect for the NFL draft. His time at Nevada wasn't merely about improving his game; he also developed leadership skills and honed his competitive spirit, vital components in his eventual NFL success. The college experience further shaped his personality and provided him with a foundation for navigating the pressures of professional sports.


6. The NFL Draft and the Beginning of His Professional Career:

The NFL draft is a defining moment for aspiring professional athletes, and for Kaepernick, it was no different. Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, he began his professional career. This marked a significant achievement, the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to his craft. The transition to the NFL presented new challenges and demands, but Kaepernick embraced them, proving himself to be a resilient and adaptable athlete. The draft was only the beginning of a journey that would catapult him to national prominence.


Article Outline:

Introduction: Hook the reader with a compelling overview of Kaepernick's life.
Chapter 1: Childhood challenges, family instability, and early influences.
Chapter 2: Finding stability in Turlock, California, and the development of his passion for sports.
Chapter 3: Multi-sport excellence and the emergence of his athletic prowess.
Chapter 4: High school success and the transition to college football.
Chapter 5: College career at the University of Nevada, Reno, skill refinement, and increased recognition.
Chapter 6: The NFL draft and the beginning of his professional career with the San Francisco 49ers.
Conclusion: Summarize the key aspects of Kaepernick's early life and their influence on his later career and activism.


(The detailed content for each chapter is provided above in the main body of the blog post.)


FAQs:

1. Where was Colin Kaepernick born? He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2. Who raised Colin Kaepernick? He was raised by his adoptive parents, Rick and Teresa Kaepernick.
3. What sports did Colin Kaepernick play in high school? He played football, basketball, and baseball.
4. What college did Colin Kaepernick attend? He attended the University of Nevada, Reno.
5. What position did Colin Kaepernick play in college and the NFL? He played quarterback.
6. What round was Colin Kaepernick drafted in the NFL draft? He was drafted in the second round.
7. What team drafted Colin Kaepernick? The San Francisco 49ers drafted him.
8. What year was Colin Kaepernick drafted? He was drafted in 2011.
9. Did Colin Kaepernick have a stable upbringing? No, his early childhood was marked by instability due to family issues.



Related Articles:

1. Colin Kaepernick's College Career: A Statistical Deep Dive: Examines his college statistics and performance at the University of Nevada, Reno.
2. Colin Kaepernick's NFL Career Highlights: A retrospective of his notable games and accomplishments in the NFL.
3. The Impact of Colin Kaepernick's Activism on the NFL: Analyzes the effects of his protests on the league and society.
4. Colin Kaepernick's Family Background and Influences: Explores his family history and how it shaped his life.
5. Colin Kaepernick's Athletic Versatility: A Multi-Sport Star: Details his success in multiple sports beyond football.
6. The Colin Kaepernick Nike Campaign: A Marketing Analysis: Examines the marketing aspects of Nike's association with Kaepernick.
7. Colin Kaepernick's Leadership Qualities: On and Off the Field: Discusses his leadership style and influence.
8. Comparing Colin Kaepernick's Playing Style to Other Notable Quarterbacks: A comparative analysis of his style with other NFL quarterbacks.
9. The Future of Colin Kaepernick in the NFL and Beyond: Speculation and analysis of his future prospects.


  colin kaepernick early life: The Kaepernick Effect Dave Zirin, 2021-09-14 Riveting and inspiring first-person stories of how “taking a knee” triggered a political awakening among athletes of all ages and levels, from the celebrated sportswriter “With profiles of courage that leap of the page, Zirin uncovers a whole national movement of citizen-athletes fighting for racial justice.” —Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award–winning author of Stamped from the Beginning Hailed by Publishers Weekly in a starred review as “an enthralling look at the impact of peaceful protest by sports figures at the high school, college, and professional levels,” The Kaepernick Effect explores the story of how quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s simple act of “taking a knee” spread like wildfire throughout American society, becoming the preeminent public symbol of resistance to America’s persistent racial inequality. In this powerful book, critically acclaimed sports journalist and author Dave Zirin chronicles “the Kaepernick effect” for the first time, through “a riveting collection of first-person stories” (The Nation) from high school athletes and coaches, college stars and high-powered athletic directors, and professional athletes across many different sports—from Megan Rapinoe to Michael Bennett. In each case, he uncovers the fascinating explanations and motivations behind what became a mass political movement in sports. “Necessary reading for all, especially those who want to make a difference in promoting social justice, equity, and inclusion, and end police brutality” (Library Journal, starred review), The Kaepernick Effect is for anyone seeking to get involved in the new movement for racial justice in America: “Take a knee, everyone, and start a revolution” (Kirkus Reviews).
  colin kaepernick early life: Who Is Colin Kaepernick? Lakita Wilson, Who HQ, 2022-05-03 Learn about the inspiring life and career of professional football player and activist Colin Kaepernick in the new Who HQ Now format featuring newsmakers and trending topics. On August 14, 2016, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began a protest when he refused to stand for the national anthem. He wanted to make a statement about the oppression of people of color in the United States after he had spent a summer speaking out against police brutality. After playing professional football for six seasons, that would become Colin Kaepernick's last season in the NFL, but he would go on to become one of the most prominent activists of today. Colin believed that speaking out against racism was far bigger than football, and other athletes agreed with him. Today, hundreds of athletes -- from high schools to professional teams -- still kneel during the national anthem to protest the treatment of people of color in America. Discover more about Colin Kaepernick's story in this addition to the New York Times bestselling series.
  colin kaepernick early life: Colin Kaepernick: the Inspiring Story of One of Football's Greatest Quarterbacks Clayton Geoffreys, 2015-09-16 Learn the Incredible Story of San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Colin Kaepernick: The Inspiring Story of One of Football's Greatest Quarterbacks, you'll read about the inspirational story of football's star, Colin Kaepernick. This short unauthorized biography of Colin Kaepernick highlights the greatest moments of his career. Colin Kaepernick risen one of the best young quarterbacks, holding several league records in rushing yards for quarterbacks in the post season. In this book, we'll explore Colin Kaepernick's journey to the NFL, as well as his impact on the game. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School Years College Years at University of Nevada Colin's NFL Career Colin Kaepernick's Legacy and Future An excerpt from the book: Colin Kaepernick continued to develop his overall athleticism by becoming a three-sport athlete at Pitman High School in Turlock. He played football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring. Two of the three would eventually become his standout sports.Kaepernick didn't have to do much as a quarterback at first. In fact, the Pride was known as a running team with a few powerful backs. In his game as a starter on September 9, 2004, Kaepernick only had five attempts with two completions - one of which was a 21-yard pass for a first quarter touchdown. But the team was led by junior-back Anthony Harding's 233 yards, and senior-back Mark Runyan's 117 yards as Pitman combined for 471 rushing yards in a 46-36 win at home against Kennedy High School (Sacramento).One week later, Kaepernick began to show how good of an arm he had when he went 14-for-20 for 203 yards and three touchdowns in a 19-7 victory over Johansen High School (Modesto) on September 17, 2004.The games would flip between whether the Pride would focus more on the rushing attack, or let Kaepernick have the opportunities to throw. His final numbers at the end of the season were 1,051 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Kaepernick helped the Pitman Pride to an 8-3 record in his junior season that ended on November 19, 2004 against West High School from Tracy, California - a state playoff game where they lost 35-21. Kaepernick was 14-for-27 for 171 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Tags: Colin Kaepernick, Eli Manning, Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, San Francisco 49ers, NFL books, football books
  colin kaepernick early life: Colin Kaepernick Gagne Tammy, 2014-11 Contemporary biography of Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers star football quarterback. Robbie Reader Contemporary Biographies are up-to-date, well written, and colorful. Series titles include people in the news from sports, entertainment, movies, and music. Students read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension and read on-level text with purpose and understanding. Series titles have been developed to address many of the Common Core specific goals, higher level thinking skills, and progressive learning strategies for upper elementary level students.
  colin kaepernick early life: Colin Kaepernick Bill Redban, 2014-03-03 A brief biography of quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
  colin kaepernick early life: The Hero in the Helmet: Colin Kaepernick Joa Macnalie, 2018-05-13 This book is an ode to one of the most political athletes in the modern day of sports who is arguably the face of the Modern Day Revolution. The purpose of this book is to share the truth about who Colin Kaepernick is and what his movement means for America. It is also a keepsake to remember him for who he is and not what he is painted to be.
  colin kaepernick early life: Colin Kaepernick Tammy Gagne, 2020-05-11 Contemporary biography of Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers star football quarterback. Robbie Reader Contemporary Biographies are up-to-date, well written, and colorful. Series titles include people in the news from sports, entertainment, movies, and music. Students read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension and read on-level text with purpose and understanding. Series titles have been developed to address many of the Common Core specific goals, higher level thinking skills, and progressive learning strategies for upper elementary level students.
  colin kaepernick early life: I Color Myself Different Colin Kaepernick, 2022-04-05 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER An inspiring story of identity and self-esteem from celebrated athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick. When Colin Kaepernick was five years old, he was given a simple school assignment: draw a picture of yourself and your family. What young Colin does next with his brown crayon changes his whole world and worldview, providing a valuable lesson on embracing and celebrating his Black identity through the power of radical self-love and knowing your inherent worth. I Color Myself Different is a joyful ode to Black and Brown lives based on real events in young Colin's life that is perfect for every reader's bookshelf. It's a story of self-discovery, staying true to one's self, and advocating for change... even when you're very little!
  colin kaepernick early life: Arthur Ashe Raymond Arsenault, 2019-08-20 A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK A “thoroughly captivating biography” (The San Francisco Chronicle) of American icon Arthur Ashe—the Jackie Robinson of men’s tennis—a pioneering athlete who, after breaking the color barrier, went on to become an influential civil rights activist and public intellectual. Born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1943, by the age of eleven, Arthur Ashe was one of the state’s most talented black tennis players. He became the first African American to play for the US Davis Cup team in 1963, and two years later he won the NCAA singles championship. In 1968, he rose to a number one national ranking. Turning professional in 1969, he soon became one of the world’s most successful tennis stars, winning the Australian Open in 1970 and Wimbledon in 1975. After retiring in 1980, he served four years as the US Davis Cup captain and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985. In this “deep, detailed, thoughtful chronicle” (The New York Times Book Review), Raymond Arsenault chronicles Ashe’s rise to stardom on the court. But much of the book explores his off-court career as a human rights activist, philanthropist, broadcaster, writer, businessman, and celebrity. In the 1970s and 1980s, Ashe gained renown as an advocate for sportsmanship, education, racial equality, and the elimination of apartheid in South Africa. But from 1979 on, he was forced to deal with a serious heart condition that led to multiple surgeries and blood transfusions, one of which left him HIV-positive. After devoting the last ten months of his life to AIDS activism, Ashe died in February 1993 at the age of forty-nine, leaving an inspiring legacy of dignity, integrity, and active citizenship. Based on prodigious research, including more than one hundred interviews, Arthur Ashe puts Ashe in the context of both his time and the long struggle of African-American athletes seeking equal opportunity and respect, and “will serve as the standard work on Ashe for some time” (Library Journal, starred review).
  colin kaepernick early life: Things That Make White People Uncomfortable Michael Bennett, Dave Zirin, 2019-09-03 Michael Bennett is a Super Bowl Champion, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, a fearless activist, a feminist, a grassroots philanthropist, an organizer, and a change maker. He's also one of the most scathingly humorous athletes on the planet, and he wants to make you uncomfortable. Bennett adds his unmistakable voice to discussions of racism and police violence, Black athletes and their relationship to powerful institutions like the NCAA and the NFL, the role of protest in history, and the responsibilities of athletes as role models to speak out against injustice. Following in the footsteps of activist-athletes from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, Bennett demonstrates his outspoken leadership both on and off the field.Written with award-winning sportswriter and author Dave Zirin, Things that Make White People Uncomfortable is a sports book for our turbulent times, a memoir, and a manifesto as hilarious and engaging as it is illuminating.
  colin kaepernick early life: The Heritage Howard Bryant, 2018-05-08 Following in the footsteps of Robeson, Ali, Robinson and others, today’s Black athletes re-engage with social issues and the meaning of American patriotism Named a best book of 2018 by Library Journal It used to be that politics and sports were as separate from one another as church and state. The ballfield was an escape from the world’s worst problems, top athletes were treated like heroes, and cheering for the home team was as easy and innocent as hot dogs and beer. “No news on the sports page” was a governing principle in newsrooms. That was then. Today, sports arenas have been transformed into staging grounds for American patriotism and the hero worship of law enforcement. Teams wear camouflage jerseys to honor those who serve; police officers throw out first pitches; soldiers surprise their families with homecomings at halftime. Sports and politics are decidedly entwined. But as journalist Howard Bryant reveals, this has always been more complicated for black athletes, who from the start, were committing a political act simply by being on the field. In fact, among all black employees in twentieth-century America, perhaps no other group had more outsized influence and power than ballplayers. The immense social responsibilities that came with the role is part of the black athletic heritage. It is a heritage built by the influence of the superstardom and radical politics of Paul Robeson, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Tommie Smith, and John Carlos through the 1960s; undermined by apolitical, corporate-friendly “transcenders of race,” O. J. Simpson, Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods in the following decades; and reclaimed today by the likes of LeBron James, Colin Kaepernick, and Carmelo Anthony. The Heritage is the story of the rise, fall, and fervent return of the athlete-activist. Through deep research and interviews with some of sports’ best-known stars—including Kaepernick, David Ortiz, Charles Barkley, and Chris Webber—as well as members of law enforcement and the military, Bryant details the collision of post-9/11 sports in America and the politically engaged post-Ferguson black athlete.
  colin kaepernick early life: Commodity Activism Roopali Mukherjee, Sarah Banet-Weiser, 2012-02 Buying (RED) products—from Gap T-shirts to Apple—to fight AIDS. Drinking a “Caring Cup” of coffee at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to support fair trade. Driving a Toyota Prius to fight global warming. All these commonplace activities point to a central feature of contemporary culture: the most common way we participate in social activism is by buying something. Roopali Mukherjee and Sarah Banet-Weiser have gathered an exemplary group of scholars to explore this new landscape through a series of case studies of “commodity activism.” Drawing from television, film, consumer activist campaigns, and cultures of celebrity and corporate patronage, the essays take up examples such as the Dove “Real Beauty” campaign, sex positive retail activism, ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover, and Angelina Jolie as multinational celebrity missionary. Exploring the complexities embedded in contemporary political activism, Commodity Activism reveals the workings of power and resistance as well as citizenship and subjectivity in the neoliberal era. Refusing to simply position politics in opposition to consumerism, this collection teases out the relationships between material cultures and political subjectivities, arguing that activism may itself be transforming into a branded commodity.
  colin kaepernick early life: Big Game Mark Leibovich, 2018-09-04 “A raucous, smash-mouth, first-person takedown of the National Football League. —Wall Street Journal The New York Times bestseller From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Town, an equally merciless probing of America's biggest cultural force, pro football, at a moment of peak success and high anxiety Like millions of Americans, Mark Leibovich has spent more of his life tuned into pro football than he'd care to admit. Being a lifelong New England Patriots fan meant growing up on a steady diet of lovable loserdom. That is, until the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era made the Pats the most ruthlessly efficient and polarizing sports dynasty of the modern NFL, and its fans the most irritating in all of Pigskin America. Leibovich kept his obsession quiet, making a nice career for himself covering that other playground for rich and overgrown children, American politics. Still, every now and then Leibovich would reach out to Tom Brady to gauge his willingness to subject himself to a profile. He figured that the chances of Brady agreeing were a Hail Mary at best, but Brady returned Mark's call in summer 2014 and kept on returning his calls through epic Patriots Super Bowl victory and defeat, and a scandal involving Brady--Deflategate--whose grip on sports media was as profound as its true significance was ridiculous. So began a four-year odyssey that took Mark Leibovich deeper inside the NFL than anyone has gone before. From the owners' meeting to the draft to the sidelines of crucial games, he takes in the show at the elbow of everyone from Brady to big-name owners to the cordially despised NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell. Ultimately, BIG GAME is a chronicle of peak football--the high point of the sport's economic success and cultural dominance, but also the time when the dark side began to show. It is an era of explosive revenue growth, but also one of creeping existential fear. Players have long joked that NFL stands for not for long, but as the true impact of concussions becomes inescapable background noise, it's increasingly difficult to enjoy the simple glory of football without the buzz-kill of its obvious consequences. And that was before Donald Trump. In 2016, Mark's day job caught up with him, and the NFL slammed headlong into America's culture wars. Big Game is a journey through an epic storm. Through it all, Leibovich always keeps one eye on Tom Brady and his beloved Patriots, through to the 2018 Super Bowl. Pro football, this hilarious and enthralling book proves, may not be the sport America needs, but it is most definitely the sport we deserve.
  colin kaepernick early life: Colin Kaepernick: NFL Phenom Paul Hoblin, 2014-09-01 Playmakers introduces young readers to their current heroes on and off the field. Colin Kaepernick: NFL Phenom summarizes Kaepernick's life and career to date and draws attention to accomplishments beyond his athletic skill as well as career highlights thus far. Short, informative sidebars add to the engaging, easy-to-read text, making Playmakers a hit for any reader in your library! Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. SportsZone is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.
  colin kaepernick early life: The John Carlos Story Dave Zirin, John Carlos, 2011-10-04 “A powerful and poignant memoir” of an African American athlete who defied the establishment—decades before Colin Kaepernick (Cornel West, New York Times–bestselling author of Race Matters). An NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Literary Work—Biography/Autobiography John Carlos was a bronze medalist in the two hundred-meter race at the 1968 Olympics, but he is remembered for more than his athletic accomplishments. His and his fellow medalist’s Tommie Smith’s Black Power salutes on the podium sparked controversy and career fallout—yet their show of defiance, seen around the world, remains one of the most iconic images of both Olympic history and African American history. This is the remarkable story of John Carlos’s experience as a young man in Harlem, a track and field athlete, and lifelong activist. “This book is fascinating for more than just the sports history, as the text talks about Carlos’ connection to Dr. King, basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Olympic runner Ralph Boston, baseball legend Jackie Robinson and boxer George Foreman. Carlos even comments on topics in today’s news including First Lady Michelle Obama, the value of Twitter, the antics of athletes like Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens, and his views on an award he received at ESPN’s 2008 ESPYs.” —Chicago Tribune “John Carlos is an American hero . . . I couldn’t put this book down.” —Michael Moore, filmmaker and New York Times–bestselling author of Here Comes Trouble
  colin kaepernick early life: Colin Kaepernick Eric Braun, 2019 Accessible biography about a very notable subject
  colin kaepernick early life: A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman David A. Adler, 2018-01-01 Gail Nelson is an unobtrusive narrator who lets Harriet Tubman's deeds and personality speak for themselves. And speak they do! - AudioFile
  colin kaepernick early life: The Black Athlete as Hero Joseph Dorinson, 2022-10-28 Part history, part biography, this study examines the Black athlete's search to unify what W.E.B. DuBois called the two unreconciled strivings of African Americans--the struggle to survive in black society while adapting to white society. Black athletes have served as vanguards of change, challenging the dominant culture, crossing social boundaries and raising political awareness. Champions like Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Wilma Rudolph, Roberto Clemente, Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, Serena Williams, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James make a difference, even as many in the Black community question the idea of athletes as role models. The author argues the importance of sports heroes in a panic-plagued era beset with class division and racial privilege.
  colin kaepernick early life: One Life Megan Rapinoe, Emma Brockes, 2020-11-10 An instant New York Times bestseller! “Rapinoe's 'signature pose' from the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup is synonymous to the feeling we got when finishing this book: heart full, arms wide and ready to take up space in this world.”—USA Today Megan Rapinoe, Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion, reveals for the first time her life both on and off the field. Guided by her personal journey into social justice, brimming with humor, humanity, and joy, she urges all of us to ask ourselves, What will you do with your one life? Only four years old when she kicked her first soccer ball, Megan Rapinoe developed a love – and clear talent – for the game at a young age. But it was her parents who taught her that winning was much less important than how she lived her life. From childhood on, Rapinoe always did what she could to stand up for what was right—even if it meant going up against people who disagreed. In One Life, Megan Rapinoe invites readers on a remarkable journey, looking back on both her victories and her failures, and pulls back the curtain on events we know only from the headlines. After the 2011 World Cup, discouraged by how few athletes were open about their sexuality, Rapinoe decided to come out publicly as gay and use her platform to advocate for marriage equality. Recognizing the power she had to bring attention to critical issues, in 2016 she took a knee during the national anthem in solidarity with former NFL player Colin Kaepernick to protest racial injustice and police brutality—the first high-profile white athlete to do so. The backlash was immediate, but it couldn’t compare to the overwhelming support. Rapinoe became a force of change. Here for the first time, Rapinoe reflects upon some of the most pivotal moments in her life and career – from her realization in college that she was gay, through the disputes with soccer coaches and officials over her decision to kneel, to the first time she met her now-fiancé WNBA champion Sue Bird, and up through suing the US Soccer Federation over gender discrimination and equal pay. Throughout, Rapinoe makes clear the obligation we all have to speak up, and the impact each of us can have on our communities. Deeply personal and inspiring, One Life reveals that real, concrete change lies within all of us, and asks: If we all have the same resource—this one precious life, made up of the decisions we make every day—what are you going to do? One Life makes it clear that Rapinoe’s greatest accomplishments may ultimately come away from the soccer pitch. She’s a new kind of American hero.—San Francisco Chronicle
  colin kaepernick early life: Applied Social Psychology Jamie A. Gruman, Frank W. Schneider, Larry M. Coutts, 2016-09-08 This student-friendly introduction to the field focuses on understanding social and practical problems and developing intervention strategies to address them. Offering a balance of theory, research, and application, the updated Third Edition includes the latest research, as well as new, detailed examples of qualitative research throughout.
  colin kaepernick early life: Raise a Fist, Take a Knee John Feinstein, 2021-11-16 Based on dozens of shocking interviews with some of the most influential names in sports, this is the urgent and revelatory examination of racial inequality in professional athletics America has been waiting for Commentators, coaches, and fans alike have long touted the diverse rosters of leagues like the NFL and MLB as sterling examples of a post-racial America. Yet decades after Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in a display of Black power and pride, and years after Colin Kaepernick shocked the world by kneeling for the national anthem, the role black athletes and coaches are asked to perform--both on and off the field--still can be determined as much by stereotype and old-fashion ideology as ability and performance. Whether it's the pre-game moments of resistance, the lack of diversity among coaching and managerial staff, or the consistent undervaluation of black quarterbacks, racial politics impact every aspect of every sport being played. Yet, the gigantic salaries and glitzy lifestyles of pro athletes tend to disguise the ugly truths of how minorities are treated and discarded by their white bosses. Promising to finally expose the structural prejudices underpinning this pilar of modern society, John Feinstein has crisscrossed the country to not only get the stories none of us have heard but all of us should know but also constructed those harrowing tales into a larger narrative that will be the definitive book on race and sports for a generation to come. Seventy-five years after Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color line, race is still a central and defining factor of America's professional sports leagues. With an encyclopedic knowledge of professional sports, and shrew cultural criticism, John Feinstein uncovers not just why, but how, pro sports continue to perpetuate racial inequality.
  colin kaepernick early life: Don't Let The Lipstick Fool You Lisa Leslie, Larry Burnett, 2008-05
  colin kaepernick early life: Long Shot Craig Hodges, Rory Fanning, 2017-01-09 In this memoir, the Chicago Bulls basketball star details his life on the court as an athlete and off the court as an activist. As a member of the 1992 world-champion Chicago Bulls, a dashiki-clad Hodges delivered a handwritten letter to President George H. W. Bush demanding that he do more to address racism and economic inequality. Hodges was also a vocal union activist, initiated a boycott against Nike, and spoke out forcefully against police brutality in the wake of the Rodney King beating. But his outspokenness cost him dearly. In the prime of his career, after ten NBA seasons, Hodges was blackballed from the NBA for using his platform as a professional athlete to stand up for justice. In this powerful, passionate, and captivating memoir, Hodges shares the stories—including encounters with Nelson Mandela, Coretta Scott King, Jim Brown, R. Kelly, Michael Jordan, and others—from his lifelong fight for equality for Black Americans. Praise for Long Shot “A skillfully told, affecting memoir of sports and social activism.” —Kirkus Reviews “Hodges has told his compelling life story with fiery passion, looping around a cast of characters stretching from Jordan, Magic Johnson and Phil Jackson back to Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, before returning to the present.” —Guardian “Craig Hodges is someone I looked up to as a child & now as an adult . . . I read Long Shot in like two hours, I couldn’t stop turning pages. There are so many hooks in it.” —Jesse Williams, actor, producer, director, activist “A beautifully written, brutally honest book. If you loved the Michael Jordan-era Chicago Bulls, if you love black history, or if you are fascinated by the politics of sports, I highly recommend this book. Simply put: Craig Hodges’ life is incredible and Long Shot is invaluable.” —AETHLON: The Journal of Sport Literature
  colin kaepernick early life: We Will Win the Day Louis Moore, 2017-09-21 This exceedingly timely book looks at the history of black activist athletes and the important role of the black community in making sure fair play existed, not only in sports, but across U.S. society. Most books that focus on ties between sports, black athletes, and the Civil Rights Movement focus on specific issues or people. They discuss, for example, how baseball was integrated or tell the stories of individuals like Jackie Robinson or Muhammad Ali. This book approaches the topic differently. By examining the connection between sports, black athletes and the Civil Rights Movement overall, it puts the athletes and their stories into the proper context. Rather than romanticizing the stories and the men and women who lived them, it uses the roles these individuals played—or chose not to play—to illuminate the complexities and nuances in the relationship between black athletes and the fight for racial equality. Arranged thematically, the book starts with Jackie Robinson's entry into baseball when he signed with the Dodgers in 1945 and ends with the revolt of black athletes in the late 1960s, symbolized by Tommie Smith and John Carlos famously raising their clenched fists during a medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics. Accounts from the black press and the athletes themselves help illustrate the role black athletes played in the Civil Rights Movement. At the same time, the book also examines how the black public viewed sports and the contributions of black athletes during these tumultuous decades, showing how the black communities' belief in merit and democracy—combined with black athletic success—influenced the push for civil rights.
  colin kaepernick early life: I Came As a Shadow John Thompson, 2020-12-15 A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK The long-awaited autobiography from Georgetown University’s legendary coach, whose life on and off the basketball court threw America’s unresolved struggle with racial justice into sharp relief. John Thompson was never just a basketball coach and I Came As A Shadow is categorically not just a basketball autobiography. After five decades at the center of race and sports in America, Thompson—the iconic NCAA champion, Black activist, and educator—was ready to make the private public at last, and he completed this autobiography shortly before his death in the historically tumultuous summer of 2020. Chockful of stories and moving beyond mere stats (three Final Fours, four-time national coach of the year, seven Big East championships, 97 percent graduation rate), Thompson’s book drives us through his childhood under Jim Crow segregation to our current moment of racial reckoning. We experience riding shotgun with Celtics icon Red Auerbach and coaching NBA Hall of Famers like Patrick Ewing and Allen Iverson. What were the origins of the the phrase “Hoya Paranoia”? You’ll see. And parting his veil of secrecy, Thompson brings us into his negotiation with a D.C. drug kingpin in his players’ orbit in the 1980s, as well as behind the scenes of his years on the Nike board. Thompson’s mother was a teacher who had to clean houses because of racism in the nation's capital. His father could not read or write. Their son grew up to be a man with his own larger-than-life statue in a building that bears his family’s name on a campus once kept afloat by the selling of 272 enslaved Black people. This is a great American story, and John Thompson’s experience sheds light on many of the issues roiling our nation. In these pages, he proves himself to be the elder statesman whose final words college basketball and the country need to hear. I Came As A Shadow is not a swan song, but a bullhorn blast from one of America’s most prominent sons.
  colin kaepernick early life: Jim Brown Dave Zirin, 2018-05-15 A unique biography of Jim Brown—football legend, Hollywood star, and controversial activist—written by acclaimed sports journalist Dave Zirin. Jim Brown is recognized as perhaps the greatest football player to ever live. But his phenomenal nine-year career with the Cleveland Browns is only part of his remarkable story, the opening salvo to a much more sprawling epic. Brown parlayed his athletic fame into stardom in Hollywood, where it was thought that he could become “the black John Wayne.” He was an outspoken Black Power icon in the 1960s, and he formed Black Economic Unions to challenge racism in the business world. For this and for his decades of work as a truce negotiator with street gangs, Brown—along with such figures as Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, and Billie Jean King—is revered as a socially conscious athlete. On the most hypermasculine cultural canvases of the United States—NFL football, the Black Power movement, Hollywood's blaxploitation films, gang intervention both inside and outside prison walls—Jim Brown has made his mark. Yet in the landscape of the most toxic expression of “what makes a man”—numerous accusations of violence against women—he has left a jagged mark as well. Dave Zirin's book redefines an American icon, and not always in a flattering light. At eighty-one years old, Brown continues to speak out and look for fights. His recent public support of Donald Trump and criticism of Colin Kaepernick are just the latest examples of someone who seems restless if he is not in conflict. Jim Brown is a raw and thrilling account of Brown's remarkable life and a must-read for sports fans and students of the black freedom struggle.
  colin kaepernick early life: Focus On: 100 Most Popular African-American Players of American Football Wikipedia contributors,
  colin kaepernick early life: Aaron Rodgers Clayton Geoffreys, 2015-07-05 In Aaron Rodgers: The inspiring story of one of football's greatest Quarterbacks, you'll read about he inspirational story of football's star, Aaron Rodgers. This short unauthorized biography of Aaron Rodgers highlights the greatest moments of his career since starting in the league as the backup to the great Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers remains on of the most effective quarterbacks to play professional football, and an inspiring leader for the Packers. In this book, we'll explore Aaron Rodger's journey to the NFL, as well as his impact on the game.--Cover.
  colin kaepernick early life: Colin Kaepernick Blake Hoena, 2021-01-01 Audisee® eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and sentence highlighting to engage reluctant readers! This graphic biography shows readers the moments that have defined Colin Kaepernick’s life as a quarterback and an activist. His talent and determination made him a college football success and brought him to the National Football League. As a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, he led his team to multiple playoffs and even competed in the Super Bowl. When outrage over violence against African Americans became a national movement, Kaepernick joined the protests. His decision cost him his career in football, but he gained a voice heard worldwide.
  colin kaepernick early life: The Sports Revolution Frank Andre Guridy, 2021-03-23 In the 1960s and 1970s, America experienced a sports revolution. New professional sports franchises and leagues were established, new stadiums were built, football and basketball grew in popularity, and the proliferation of television enabled people across the country to support their favorite teams and athletes from the comfort of their homes. At the same time, the civil rights and feminist movements were reshaping the nation, broadening the boundaries of social and political participation. The Sports Revolution tells how these forces came together in the Lone Star State. Tracing events from the end of Jim Crow to the 1980s, Frank Guridy chronicles the unlikely alliances that integrated professional and collegiate sports and launched women’s tennis. He explores the new forms of inclusion and exclusion that emerged during the era, including the role the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders played in defining womanhood in the age of second-wave feminism. Guridy explains how the sexual revolution, desegregation, and changing demographics played out both on and off the field as he recounts how the Washington Senators became the Texas Rangers and how Mexican American fans and their support for the Spurs fostered a revival of professional basketball in San Antonio. Guridy argues that the catalysts for these changes were undone by the same forces of commercialization that set them in motion and reveals that, for better and for worse, Texas was at the center of America’s expanding political, economic, and emotional investments in sport.
  colin kaepernick early life: Our History Has Always Been Contraband Colin Kaepernick, Robin D. G. Kelley, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, 2023-05-24 The centuries-long attack on Black history represents a strike against our very worth, brilliance, and value. We’re ready to fight back. And when we fight, we win. —Colin Kaepernick Since its founding as a discipline, Black Studies has been under relentless attack by social and political forces seeking to discredit and neutralize it. Our History Has Always Been Contraband was born out of an urgent need to respond to the latest threat: efforts to remove content from an AP African American Studies course being piloted in high schools across the United States. Edited by Colin Kaepernick, Robin D. G. Kelley, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Our History Has Always Been Contraband brings together canonical texts and authors in Black Studies, including those excised from or not included in the AP curriculum. Featuring writings by: David Walker, Frederick Douglass, Anna Julia Cooper, Zora Neale Hurston, W. E. B. Du Bois, C. L. R. James, James Baldwin, June Jordan, Angela Y. Davis, Robert Allen, Barbara Smith, Toni Cade Bambara, bell hooks, Barbara Christian, Patricia Hill Collins, Cathy J. Cohen, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Saidiya Hartman, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, and many others. Our History Has Always Been Contraband excerpts readings that cut across and between literature, political theory, law, psychology, sociology, gender and sexuality studies, queer and feminist theory, and history. This volume also includes original essays by editors Kaepernick, Kelley, and Taylor, elucidating how we got here, and pieces by Brea Baker, Marlon Williams-Clark, and Roderick A. Ferguson detailing how we can fight back. To read Our History Has Always Been Contraband is to be an outlaw for liberation. These writings illuminate the ways we can collectively work toward freedom for all—through abolition, feminism, racial justice, economic empowerment, self-determination, desegregation, decolonization, reparations, queer liberation, cultural and artistic expression, and beyond.
  colin kaepernick early life: # Take A Knee Delroy Constantine-Siimms, 2020-12-03 This collection of insightful essays explores the stages between post-civil rights nihilism and the rebirth of mass black protest against police brutality and judicial discrimination, in the age of mass incarceration.
  colin kaepernick early life: Complicity Anne Farrow, Joel Lang, Jenifer Frank, 2007-12-18 A startling and superbly researched book demythologizing the North’s role in American slavery “The hardest question is what to do when human rights give way to profits. . . . Complicity is a story of the skeletons that remain in this nation’s closet.”—San Francisco Chronicle The North’s profit from—indeed, dependence on—slavery has mostly been a shameful and well-kept secret . . . until now. Complicity reveals the cruel truth about the lucrative Triangle Trade of molasses, rum, and slaves that linked the North to the West Indies and Africa. It also discloses the reality of Northern empires built on tainted profits—run, in some cases, by abolitionists—and exposes the thousand-acre plantations that existed in towns such as Salem, Connecticut. Here, too, are eye-opening accounts of the individuals who profited directly from slavery far from the Mason-Dixon line. Culled from long-ignored documents and reports—and bolstered by rarely seen photos, publications, maps, and period drawings—Complicity is a fascinating and sobering work that actually does what so many books pretend to do: shed light on America’s past.
  colin kaepernick early life: What's My Name, Fool? Dave Zirin, 2011-02 In Whats My Name, Fool? sports writer Dave Zirin shows how sports express the worst - and at times the most creative, exciting, and political - features of our society. Zirins sharp and insightful commentary on the personalities, politics, and history of American sports is unlike any sports writing being done today. Zirin explores how NBA brawls highlight tensions beyond the arena, how the bold stances taken by sports unions can chart a path for the entire labor movement, and the unexplored political stirrings of a new generation of athletes who are no longer content to just ''play one game at a time.'' Whats My Name, Fool? draws on original interviews with former heavyweight champ George Foreman, Olympic athlete John Carlos, NBA player and anti-death penalty activist Etan Thomas, antiwar womens college hoopster Toni Smith, Olympic Project for Human Rights leader Lee Evans and many others. It also unearths a history of athletes ranging from Jackie Robinson to Muhammad Ali to Billie Jean King, who charted a new course through their athletic ability and their outspoken views.
  colin kaepernick early life: Rise of the Black Quarterback Jason Reid, 2022-08-02 In September 2019, ESPN's The Undefeated website (now Andscape) began a season-long series of articles on the emergence of Black quarterbacks in the NFL. The first article in the series was Jason Reid's enormously popular, Welcome to the Year of the Black Quarterback. The series culminated with an hour-long television program in February 2020, hosted by Reid himself. The Rise of the Black Quarterback: What It Means for America will expand on Reid's piece--as well as the entire series--and chronicle the shameful history of the treatment of Black players in the NFL and the breakout careers of a thrilling new generation of Black quarterbacks. Intimate portraits of Colin Kaepernick, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray feature prominently in the book, as well as the careers and legacy of beloved NFL players such as Doug Williams and trailblazing pioneers Marlin Briscoe and Eldridge Dickey. Reid delves deeply into the culture war ignited by Kaepernick's peaceful protest that shone a light on systemic oppression and police brutality. Fascinating and timely, this page-turning account will rivet fans of sports, cultural commentary, and Black history in America.
  colin kaepernick early life: Enough! 20 Protesters Who Changed America Emily Easton, 2018-09-18 Change takes courage. Introduce your young activist to America's most influential protesters in this lushly illustrated picture book. Stand beside contemporary groundbreakers like Colin Kaepernick and transgender teen Jazz Jennings, and march in the footsteps of historical revolutionaries such as Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This moving text opens with a foreword from a Parkland shooting survivor and is perfect for those not quite ready for Little Leaders and She Persisted. America has been molded and shaped by those who have taken a stand and said they have had enough. In this dynamic picture book, stand alongside the nation's most iconic civil and human rights leaders, whose brave actions rewrote history. Join Samuel Adams as he masterminds the Boston Tea Party, Ruby Bridges on her march to school, Colin Kaepernick as he takes a knee for Black lives, and the multitude of other American activists whose peaceful protests have ushered in lasting change. With a foreword from a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school shooting, this succinct text paired with striking illustrations is a compelling read-together story for little activists who are just starting to find their voice. Backmatter extends the text with short bios about each protester to provide additional context about their respective movement and the form of protest they used.
  colin kaepernick early life: Protesting on Bended Knee Eric Burin, 2018-10-12 That a marketing campaign showcasing Kaepernick could roil emotions and dominate headlines testifies to the electrifying nature of his historic crusade against inequality generally and police brutality particularly. Kaepernick began protesting these matters on the field of play in August 2016, when he was a San Francisco 49ers' quarterback, doing so initially by sitting and later by kneeling during the national anthem. Others followed suit. These gestures incited a national furor, and several of this volume's essays were originally published during that tumultuous period. [...] All of the essays offer perceptive insights about the protests; collectively, they provide a panoramic view of them; most importantly, they show, as does the Introduction, that this tale, with its vast cast and varied scenes, with its knotty conundrums that could not be undone perhaps by any means, was but the latest chapter in a still-grander saga, that of black Americans' fight for freedom, an epic struggle that has necessitated many sacrificing some and some sacrificing everything--Introduction.
  colin kaepernick early life: Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand Bob Schron, 2020-04-03 A history of the activism and achievement of African American athletes from Jesse Owens to Serena Williams to Colin Kaepernick, who advanced the cause of social justice through their outspokenness, commitment, and integrity. Muhammad Ali refused to fight in a war he believed was immoral. Wilma Rudolph retired from track and field to campaign for civil rights. Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to draw attention to the oppression of black bodies. Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand tells their stories and the stories of other prominent African American male and female athletes who often risked their careers to fight racial discrimination and promote social justice. From Jackie Robinson breaking the color line in major league baseball to NBA great Bill Russell sitting at the feet of Dr. Martin Luther King at the 1963 March on Washington to Althea Gibson asserting her tennis dominance at a time when many clubs would not allow African Americans to play on their courts, this moving and celebratory history shows how the tradition of black protest in sports has been consistent, necessary, and organic, and that the present crisis of misunderstanding and intolerance demands that this tradition continue as the country struggles toward fairness and equity.
  colin kaepernick early life: 42 Today MichaeL G Long, Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon, 2021-02-09 Explores Jackie Robinson’s compelling and complicated legacy Before the United States Supreme Court ruled against segregation in public schools, and before Rosa Parks refused to surrender her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, Jackie Robinson walked onto the diamond on April 15, 1947, as first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers, making history as the first African American to integrate Major League Baseball in the twentieth century. Today a national icon, Robinson was a complicated man who navigated an even more complicated world that both celebrated and despised him. Many are familiar with Robinson as a baseball hero. Few, however, know of the inner turmoil that came with his historic status. Featuring piercing essays from a range of distinguished sportswriters, cultural critics, and scholars, this book explores Robinson’s perspectives and legacies on civil rights, sports, faith, youth, and nonviolence, while providing rare glimpses into the struggles and strength of one of the nation’s most athletically gifted and politically significant citizens. Featuring a foreword by celebrated directors and producers Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon, this volume recasts Jackie Robinson’s legacy and establishes how he set a precedent for future civil rights activism, from Black Lives Matter to Colin Kaepernick.
  colin kaepernick early life: I'm a T. Rex! Dennis R. Shealy, 2012-04-25 A dinosaur book with humor and fun facts—perfect for the youngest dino fans! I'm a T. rex! I ROARRRR and I romp! I GRRROWWLLL and I stomp! I'm a T. rex. In this brand-new Little Golden Book, a T. rex tells all about his great and terrible self. Facts about the T. rex are humorously presented: Does the T stand for toothy? Does the T stand for tall? Does the T stand for terrible? I am known as them all! The ending reveals a surprise: the T. rex is still a baby in a nest, watched over lovingly by his great BIG MAMA T. rex! This Little Golden Book is illustrated by Brian Biggs, one of today's most in-demand illustrators. He brings to life the popular Shredderman books by Wendelin Van Draanen. Author Dennis Shealy is a children's book editor and the author of the popular Little Golden Book I'm a Truck, illustrated by the award-winning artist Bob Staake.