Colin Kaepernick to receive Muhammad Ali Center humanitarian award
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick will receive the Muhammad Ali Center’s Humanitarian of the Year Award on November 7. The awards ceremony will take place in Louisville, Kentucky. Channel NewsAsia reports, citing a statement from the organization.
Recognition for civic engagement
The Muhammad Ali Center said Kaepernick was selected as the recipient for combating racial injustice and supporting communities that lack sufficient access to resources and services. The organization also recognized the work of his Know Your Rights Camp initiative and other charitable projects.
Lonnie Ali, co-founder, president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, said that Kaepernick used his public platform to advocate for equality, human dignity and social change despite significant personal and professional consequences.
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Protests during the anthem
In 2016, Kaepernick began kneeling during the U.S. national anthem before NFL games, protesting police brutality and racial inequality. His actions drew both support and criticism, turned anthem protests into a nationwide political issue and inspired other athletes to demonstrate.
He last played in the NFL during the 2016 season for the San Francisco 49ers. Kaepernick later filed a grievance, claiming that league clubs had colluded not to sign him because of his activism. In 2019, he reached a confidential settlement with the NFL.
Kaepernick said the award holds special significance for him because of Muhammad Ali’s willingness to stand by his convictions despite personal and professional consequences. The center in Louisville was founded by Muhammad Ali and his wife; it promotes respect, confidence, conviction, commitment, generosity and spirituality. The ceremony will be the 13th presentation of the awards and is the center’s largest annual fundraiser for educational, youth and community programs.
