Colin Kaepernick’s wife accuses the NFL of lying about his career

A decade later, Kaepernick’s NFL protest still sparks debate

Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 national anthem protest reshaped the national conversation about athlete activism, racial injustice and police violence. A decade later, his longtime partner, Nessa Diab, is drawing renewed attention to the personal and financial consequences she says followed his decision to protest.

His final NFL season, confidential settlement with the league and continued advocacy provide essential context for understanding why his career and legacy remain subjects of public debate.

Kaepernick’s protest began in 2016

Kaepernick began sitting during the national anthem during the 2016 NFL preseason while playing quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. His protest focused on racial inequality and police violence, issues he wanted to bring to public attention.

After speaking with former NFL player Nate Boyer, a military veteran, Kaepernick began kneeling instead of sitting during the anthem. The change was intended to demonstrate respect while maintaining his protest against social injustice.

His final NFL season ended in 2016

Kaepernick played his final NFL season in 2016, appearing in 12 games for the 49ers and starting 11 of them. Official league statistics record 2,241 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes and four interceptions that season.

He became a free agent in March 2017 after opting out of his contract with San Francisco. He did not sign another NFL playing contract, leaving his last appearance on the field in the 2016 season.

His record includes a Super Bowl appearance

Kaepernick took over as San Francisco’s starting quarterback during the 2012 season and helped lead the team to Super Bowl XLVII. The 49ers lost 34–31 to the Baltimore Ravens in February 2013.

His career statistics show 12,271 passing yards and 72 touchdown passes across six NFL seasons. He also recorded 2,300 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, illustrating his dual-threat role as a quarterback.

Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL

In October 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance alleging that NFL teams had colluded to keep him out of the league because of his activism. Former teammate Eric Reid later filed a related grievance after experiencing difficulties securing a contract.

The allegations raised questions about whether the teams’ employment decisions were influenced by the players’ protests. However, the claims were allegations made by the players, not findings publicly established through a completed trial.

The NFL and Kaepernick reached a confidential settlement

In February 2019, the NFL and representatives for Kaepernick and Reid announced that they had resolved their pending grievances. The joint statement confirmed an agreement but did not disclose its financial terms.

Because the settlement was confidential, the public record does not establish how much money Kaepernick received. It also did not publicly establish that the NFL admitted to colluding against him, making it important to distinguish the settlement from a court judgment.

The $150 million figure remains an estimate

Nessa Diab’s September 30, 2026, comments described the financial consequences she associates with Colin Kaepernick’s departure from the NFL. She wrote that he had lost more than $150 million, a figure that has been reported in coverage of the couple’s remarks but has not been established as an official calculation by the league.

Estimating lost earnings would require assumptions about future contracts, playing time, endorsements and career length. The figure should therefore be attributed to the couple rather than presented as a verified financial loss.

Interesting fact: Nessa Diab received a New York Emmy nomination for her work on Talk Stoop with Nessa.

Kaepernick continued seeking an NFL opportunity

Although Kaepernick did not return to an NFL roster, he continued pursuing opportunities to demonstrate his football abilities. In November 2019, the league organized a workout for him after discussions about a possible return to professional football.

The workout became controversial after disagreements over its arrangements, including the location and media access. Kaepernick held a separate throwing session for representatives and media at a nearby high school, but the event did not result in an NFL contract.

Interesting fact: In January 2013, Colin rushed for 181 yards against the Green Bay Packers, setting a single-game playoff rushing record for a quarterback at the time.

A later workout did not lead to a contract

Kaepernick also worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, demonstrating that he was still pursuing a professional football opportunity several years after his last NFL season. The workout did not lead to a signing.

His continued efforts are relevant to the debate about whether his playing career ended because of football-related considerations, his protest or a combination of factors. Publicly available records do not conclusively establish every team’s reasoning for choosing not to sign him.

The NFL later acknowledged criticism of its response

In 2020, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that the league should have listened earlier to players expressing concerns about racial injustice. His comments came amid nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd.

Goodell’s statement represented a public acknowledgment that the league’s earlier response to players’ concerns had fallen short. However, it was not a formal admission that the NFL had colluded to prevent Kaepernick from signing with another team.

The league continued displaying social justice messages

The NFL expanded its social-justice messaging in 2020, placing messages addressing racism and equality on playing fields and player helmets. During the 2025 season, teams selected from end-zone messages including “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” “Choose Love” and “Inspire Change.”

The league continued its on-field and helmet messaging in 2026 for a seventh consecutive season. These displays demonstrate that social-justice messaging remains part of the NFL’s public presentation, but they do not establish that the league has resolved the concerns Kaepernick raised or addressed every criticism of its previous decisions.

Kaepernick’s activism continues beyond football

Kaepernick has continued working on social-justice initiatives since his NFL career ended. His Know Your Rights Camp advances education, self-empowerment and awareness of legal rights within Black and Brown communities. Its Autopsy Initiative provides qualifying families with free, independent second autopsies following in-custody deaths and other suspicious deaths.

These efforts have kept Kaepernick involved in public advocacy without a return to professional football. His work outside the sport remains part of the wider discussion surrounding his legacy, alongside his statistical record and the circumstances of his departure from the NFL.

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A decade later, questions about his legacy remain

In September 2026, Colin Kaepernick told NBC News that he no longer watches the NFL because he believes the league has blackballed him and targeted other players who protested. The NFL settled the collusion grievances filed by Kaepernick and Eric Reid in 2019 under a confidential agreement, but the settlement did not publicly establish an admission of wrongdoing by the league.

The 10-year anniversary of Kaepernick’s protest renewed attention to Nessa Diab’s comments, his football career and the lasting effects of athlete protests. His on-field achievements, the dispute over his absence from the NFL and his continuing activism remain distinct parts of his public record.