Colin Kaepernick earns 2026 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A decade after his decision to kneel during the national anthem reshaped the conversation around athletes and social justice, Colin Kaepernick is receiving an honor named for another athlete who refused to remain silent. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback received the 2026 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award on Saturday, Nov. 7, recognizing his continued commitment to challenging systemic racism. Kaepernick’s activism continued on several fronts throughout 2026. He worked on a social justice memoir, funded an independent autopsy for Nolan Wells, and extended his Know Your Rights Camp pledge through 2027, committing $1 million to grassroots organizations and legal defense funds. He also continued developing Lumi, an artificial intelligence platform designed to support classroom literacy through youth expression, while backing civil rights defense efforts and children’s books about identity and freedom.

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