Colin Kaepernick criticizes Jerry Jones
Colin Kaepernick, a former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, criticized Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones during a public appearance in Dallas on October 6, 2026. His remarks concerned opposition to his 2016 national anthem protest.
Kaepernick appeared at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters to promote his memoir, The Perilous Fight. During the event, he was asked what he would say to Jones and other NFL owners who opposed his demonstrations.
Kaepernick challenges opposition to protests
Colin Kaepernick questioned why Jerry Jones and other NFL owners opposed demonstrations against police violence. During his October 6 appearance in Dallas, he challenged their responses to players raising concerns about racial injustice.
Kaepernick asked why people were comfortable opposing Black Americans seeking to live safely. He also said reactions from certain NFL figures revealed their positions on the issue, according to reports published on October 7.
Kaepernick explains the protest’s purpose
Colin Kaepernick said his 2016 national anthem protest addressed police killings of Black Americans. During his Dallas appearance, he emphasized that the demonstrations were intended to draw attention to those deaths and broader racial injustice.
The former quarterback questioned why anyone would oppose efforts to address police violence. His October 2026 remarks returned attention to the concerns he raised during his final season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Jerry Jones opposed anthem protests
Jerry Jones criticized national anthem demonstrations during the 2016 NFL season, calling them disappointing. The Dallas Cowboys owner also praised his players for choosing not to participate in them.
Jones expressed concern that anthem demonstrations could affect public interest in professional football. He argued that the league depended on fan support and that players’ actions could influence how audiences viewed NFL games.
Jerry Jones warns Cowboys players in 2017
Jerry Jones said on October 8, 2017, that Dallas Cowboys players who disrespected the American flag would not play. His comments followed the team’s 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Jones said he expected Cowboys players to stand during the national anthem. His position drew attention to disagreements over player protests, while the NFL continued discussing how teams should handle anthem demonstrations.
Kaepernick begins protest in August 2016
Colin Kaepernick first sat during the national anthem before a San Francisco 49ers preseason game on August 14, 2016. The demonstration preceded the national attention his protest received later that month.
Kaepernick continued to sit during subsequent preseason appearances before switching to kneeling in September. The adjustment became a defining part of his demonstration against racial injustice and police violence during the 2016 NFL season.
Fun fact: Colin Kaepernick was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 43rd round of the 2009 MLB Draft as a right-handed pitcher, but he turned down the offer to pursue a football career.
Eric Reid joins Kaepernick in kneeling
Eric Reid, a San Francisco 49ers safety, joined Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem on September 1, 2016. Their demonstration took place before a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers.
Reid became one of the earliest NFL players to join Kaepernick in protest. Their decision followed discussions about how to demonstrate respectfully while maintaining attention on concerns about racial injustice and police violence.
Kaepernick remains outside NFL since 2017
Colin Kaepernick last played an NFL regular-season game on January 1, 2017, when San Francisco faced Seattle. He entered free agency that March and remains unsigned in October 2026.
Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL in October 2017, alleging collusion by team owners. The parties reached a confidential settlement in February 2019 without any public finding.
Kaepernick publishes memoir in September
Colin Kaepernick released his memoir, The Perilous Fight, on September 15, 2026. Published by Legacy Lit, the book explores his upbringing, football career, and experiences surrounding his national anthem protest.
The memoir’s title draws from the lyrics of the United States national anthem. Kaepernick narrated the audiobook, which was released alongside the print and digital editions on September 15, 2026.
Kaepernick discusses NFL protest backlash
Colin Kaepernick revisited the opposition to his 2016 national anthem protest while promoting his memoir in September 2026. He described the challenges he faced after drawing attention to racial injustice and police violence.
In interviews about The Perilous Fight, Kaepernick discussed his experiences with NFL leadership and the consequences of his public demonstrations. His account also examines decisions made during his final season with San Francisco.
Kaepernick maintains NFL comeback interest
Colin Kaepernick remains interested in returning to professional football despite not playing an NFL game since the 2016 season. The former San Francisco quarterback is 38 years old as of October 2026.
In a September interview, Kaepernick discussed his continued training and belief that he could compete at the professional level. No NFL team had announced a new playing contract with him by October 8.
Kaepernick renews $1 million commitment
Colin Kaepernick and Know Your Rights Camp announced a renewed $1 million commitment on August 14, 2026. The announcement marked the 10th anniversary of his first national anthem protest with San Francisco.
The organization said the funding would support community groups through monthly grants extending into 2027. Kaepernick described the initiative as a way to direct financial resources toward organizations already working within their communities.
Kaepernick’s comparison of the NFL Combine to slavery has sparked debate over his remarks. Explore why Colin Kaepernick was criticized over the NFL Combine slavery comparison and what fueled the backlash.
Kaepernick’s Dallas comments revisit NFL history
Colin Kaepernick’s October 2026 appearance in Dallas highlighted a disagreement that began during the 2016 NFL season. His criticism of Jerry Jones came 10 years after his national anthem demonstrations first began.
The former quarterback has continued discussing those events through interviews and his recently published memoir. His latest public comments focused on how NFL owners responded when players protested police violence against Black Americans.
Kaepernick’s comments have renewed discussion about his NFL protest and its lasting impact. Colin Kaepernick reignited the anthem debate with a blunt remark that highlights what brought the controversy back into focus.
What do you think about Colin Kaepernick’s criticism of Jerry Jones over the NFL anthem protests? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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