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Happy 29th birthday, Colin Kaepernick

Let’s celebrate with the 29 reasons that he’s the most undefeated player in the NFL

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    Aaron Dodson By @aardodson

    Colin Rand Kaepernick was born on Nov. 3, 1987, though it wasn’t until 10,524 days later that the world would come to see who he truly was. On Aug. 26, 2016, people took notice that while The Star-Spangled Banner played before a NFL preseason game the San Francisco 49ers quarterback sat instead of standing to protest the injustices against African-Americans and other people of color in the United States. His protest turned into kneeling during the national anthem before games, but his efforts haven’t stopped there. Kaepernick has remained true to his cause, and through all the hate and backlash, has found solace in the support he’s gained.

    Today marks his 29th birthday, which we celebrate with the 29 reasons that he’s the wokest, most resilient and certainly most undefeated player in the NFL.

    1. He took a stand against the national anthem.

    “I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change … This stand wasn’t for me. This is because I’m seeing things happen to people that don’t have a voice, people that don’t have a platform to talk and have their voices heard, and affect change. So I’m in the position where I can do that and I’m going to do that for people that can’t.” — Colin Kaepernick

    2. BY first taking a Seat.

     

    3. Then by taking a knee.

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    My Brother! United as One! @e_reid35

    A post shared by colin kaepernick (@kaepernick7) on

    4. and he got others to join him.

    5. Even outside of football.

    6. he pledged to donate his first $1 million of the season.

    7. And got the 49ers to pledge $1 million, Too.

    8. military veterans supported him.

    9. so did police officers.

    10. He even got President barack obama’s attention.

    “When it comes to the flag and the national anthem and the meaning that holds for our men and women in uniform and those who fought for us — that is a tough thing for them to get past. But I don’t doubt his sincerity. I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about. If nothing else, he’s generated more conversation about issues that have to be talked about.” — President Barack Obama

    11.He Rocked the X Cap.

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick answers questions at a news conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. Green Bay won the game 21-10. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick answers questions at a news conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 26 in Santa Clara, California. Green Bay won the game, 21-10. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

    AP Photo/Ben Margot

    12. He Rocked the ‘Fro.

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws a pass before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick throws a pass before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.

    Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

    13. He rocked the black panther party t-shirt.

    14. He rocked the cornrows.

    15. his jersey became no. 1.

    16. he made the cover of time magazine.

    17. he gave cam newton this look.

    18. and inspired cam to address the issues at hand.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BKoOzkojvnD/?taken-by=cameron1newton

    19. He earned his starting job back.

    20. And rocked this muhammad ali shirt before his first start.

    21. He even proved he could still ball out.

    https://vine.co/v/5HntLwqWFOZ

    22. He got OaKland, California’s support.

    23. Ruth bader ginsburg called his protest “dumb.”

    24. but then she apologized.

    “My comments were inappropriately dismissive and harsh.”

    25. he knows his rights.

    San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick speaks with teens during an event at the HUB Oakland on September 29, 2016 in Oakland, CA. The event was to educate the youth in Oakland about their rights especially when dealing with the police.

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick speaks with teens during an event at the HUB Oakland on Sept. 29 in Oakland, California. The event was to educate the youth in Oakland about their rights, especially when dealing with the police.

    Katrina Britney Davis for The Undefeated

    26. And Makes sure kids know theirs, too.

    “So, myself, my woman, our friends, we came together, we created the [“Know Your Rights”] camp that we wanted to bring to underprivileged communities. Starting first in the Bay Area, trying to reach San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, communities that are truly affected by a lot of the oppressive issues that we’re facing today. And we want to help bridge that gap, give these kids resources to try to help them advance in life, and give them some of the same opportunities that other people have and have the luxury of having.” — Colin Kaepernick

    27. He has no regrets about his protest.

    “No, there’s not anything I would do differently because, once again, this is what I believe, and this is something I have great confidence in, great conviction in. There’s nothing that anybody is going to say that’s going to change how I feel about these issues.” — Colin Kaepernick

    28. He inspired the best halloween costume of my life.

    29. he’s unapologetically black.

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick picks out his afro before doing an interview

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick picks out his Afro before doing an interview.

    Katrina Britney Davis for The Undefeated

    Aaron Dodson is a sports and culture writer at Andscape. He primarily writes on sneakers/apparel and hosts the platform’s Sneaker Box video series. During Michael Jordan’s two seasons playing for the Washington Wizards in the early 2000s, the “Flint” Air Jordan 9s sparked his passion for kicks.

    This Story Tagged: NFL Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers