Kaepernick ready to tell all in memoir
Book will ‘inspire others to rise in action’
>> NEW YORK: Colin Kaepernick, who sparked a national debate when he protested against racial injustice by kneeling during the US national anthem, will publish a memoir later this year, the former NFL quarterback announced on Thursday.
The book will be released by Kaepernick Publishing who described it as “part political awakening and part memoir” and said it would reveal the life experiences that led him to risk his NFL career in one silent act of protest.
“My protest was the culmination of years of thought and experiences, of learning and unlearning,” Kaepernick said in a news release.
“I want to tell the story of my evolution, and the events that led me to protest systemic oppression, in hope that it will inspire others to rise in action.”
No title or release date for the memoir was announced.
The former quarterback popularised the gesture of kneeling during pre-game renditions of The Star-Spangled Banner in 2016 while a member of the San Francisco 49ers. He became a free agent after that season.
Many other NFL players and athletes from several other sports joined in the protest — either by kneeling, sitting, raising fists or linking arms — but the action has all but disappeared from the world of sports.
Kaepernick, 32, has been unable to find a team to play for ever since and many experts attribute his political activism, which triggered a movement that drew the ire of US President Donald Trump, as the key reason teams are wary of signing him.
The NFL invited every NFL team to a Kaepernick workout last November but the quarterback moved the tryout to a new location at the last minute amid a disagreement over media access and only a handful of team representatives attended.
Kaepernick founded Kaepernick Publishing in 2019 to create opportunities for other black and brown writers.
Amazon.com Inc’s Audible will release an audio version of the memoir.
“I am excited that through this groundbreaking partnership between Kaepernick Publishing and Audible, we can elevate Black and Brown voices who can empower future generations,” said Kaepernick.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor could have an opportunity to earn the starting job for the 2020 season, coach Anthony Lynn said.
Taylor served as the team’s backup in 2019 to longtime Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who parted ways with the franchise after 16 seasons on Monday.
Taylor, who signed a twoyear, US$11 million contract last offseason, joins Easton Stick as the lone quarterbacks on the Chargers’ roster.
“Tyrod Taylor is a heck of a quarterback,” Lynn said.
“We couldn’t have a better backup right now, and now he has an opportunity to maybe step up into a starting role. I’ve had Tyrod before [in Buffalo], and I know what this young man brings to the table, in the passing game and the running game.” REUTERS