On Tuesday, Colin Kaepernick received Sports Illustrated’s Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. He spoke on his social activism and briefly touched on what it means in relation to his status in the NFL.
Beyonce surprised and thanked Colin Kaepernick before presenting him with the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award
“With or without the NFL’s platform, I will continue to work for the people”
Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated
To everyone’s surprise Beyonce made an appearance to present the award to Kaepernick. Before the presentation, Beyonce took the time to thank him for what he has done to shine the light on the injustices that people of color face in America:
”Thank you, Colin Kaepernick. Thank you for your selfless heart and your conviction. Thank you for your personal sacrifice. Colin took action with no fear of consequence or repercussion. Only hope to change the world for the better. To change perception. To change the way we treat each other, especially people of color who are still waiting for the world to catch up. Its been said that racism is so American that when we protest racism, some assume we’re protesting America. “
People were ecstatic online to find out that Beyonce would be the person handing the award to the former 49ers quarterback:
Upon receiving the award, Colin Kaepernick said a few words on what the Muhammad Ali trophy means not just in sports but to the idea of working together to improve the lives of people everywhere:
“I accept this award knowing that the legacy of Muhammad Ali is that of a champion of the people and one who was affectionately known as the people’s champ. I accept this award not for myself but on behalf of the people because it were not for my love for the people, I would not have protested. And if it was not for the support from the people, I would not be on this stage today. With or without the NFL’s platform, I will continue to work for the people because my platform is the people.”
Colin Kaepernick’s protest first made national headlines in late August 2016 when he took a knee during the national anthem during a San Francisco 49ers preseason game.
Kaepernick was recently announced as a finalist for TIME’s Person of the Year. He is still unsigned in the NFL. A common argument made by people is that he is not to play in the league. That is statistically untrue.
