Colin Kaepernick to receive Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year award

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick will receive the Muhammad Ali Center’s Humanitarian of the Year award this fall, a decade after his national anthem protest ignited a national debate over racial justice.

Award Honors a Decade of Activism

The Muhammad Ali Center announced on Aug. 25 that Kaepernick will be honored at the 13th annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards on Nov. 7 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The center says they selected him for:

• his advocacy against racial injustice
• his work supporting underserved communities through his Know Your Rights Camp
• and other philanthropic efforts

Lonnie Ali, the center’s co‑founder and CEO, said Kaepernick has used his platform to push for equality, human dignity and social change, even when doing so carried personal and professional consequences.

A Legacy Rooted in Protest and Community Work

Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in racial inequality. His actions sparked widespread support and criticism, turning athlete activism into a national flashpoint. He last played in the NFL that season and later filed a grievance alleging teams colluded to keep him unsigned because of his protest, reaching a confidential settlement in 2019.

The former quarterback has since expanded his activism. His organization recently renewed a $1 million commitment to Black and brown communities, adding momentum to his broader efforts to educate and empower young people.

Kaepernick Calls the Honor ‘Humbling and a Responsibility’

Kaepernick said the award carries special meaning because Muhammad Ali defended his beliefs despite significant consequences. He said being recognized in Ali’s name is “simultaneously humbling and a responsibility,” reaffirming his commitment to justice, community empowerment and human dignity.

The Nov. 7 ceremony will also honor Louisville philanthropists Steve and Amy Trager and spotlight six young international changemakers.

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