Colin Kaepernick: who is NFL player, what is Netflix series Colin in Black and White about?

The show, which features Kaepernick himself, will provide insight into what being a person of colour in a largely white neighbourhood was like
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Colin Kaepernick’s journey from high school to the NFL has been transferred to the TV, in a new Netflix series.

Directed by Ava DuVernay (Selma, 13th), the six part series follows Kaepernick from his formative teenage years, to his journey to becoming a quarterback in the NFL.

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The show, which features Kaepernick himself, will provide insight into what being a person of colour in a largely white neighbourhood was like, and the moments in his life that made him take a stand against racial injustice.

Here’s all you need to know about Colin in Black & White on Netflix.

Who is Colin Kaepernick?

Colin Kaepernick is a quarterback in the National Football League.

He played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2016, leading the franchise to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. They lost 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens.

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In 2016, Kaepernick drew widespread media attention for refusing to stand for the national anthem, opting to sit down instead. The moment was captured in a picture posted on Twitter by journalist Jennifer Lee Chan.

The image, which showed the San Francisco team in formation for the national anthem, and Kaepernick sitting on a sideline bench, went viral a day later.

Kaepernick explained his action as a protest against racial inequality and the oppression of Black people in America.

In an interview after the game, he told NFL Media: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

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He continued his protest at the following game on 1 September, 2016, opting to kneel instead of stand. He is joined by 49ers safety Eric Reid on the sideline. After the game, Kapernick pledges to donate $1million of his 2016 salary to organisations he believes can help his cause.

The protest continued to gather widespread attention, with several people supporting his decision to take a knee. President Barack Obama defended it saying: He’s exercising his constitutional right to make a statement.”

Then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Kaepernick should leave the country if he wanted to protest during the anthem.

Colin Kaepernick last played in the NFL on field in 2016. He was not included on the NFL roster for the 2021/22 season.

When is Colin in Black & White out?

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All six episodes of Colin in Black and White will be available to watch on Netflix on Friday 29 October.

Each episode is approximately 30 minutes long.

What is Colin in Black & White about?

Colin in Black & White follows Colin Kaepernick’s journey from high school to the NFL.

The show stars an all star cast, and also features Kaepernick himself as he looks back on his teenage years. The show points out the racial prejudices he faced on his journey to becoming a quarterback in the NFL.

Director of the series, Ava DuVernay, said: “With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally.

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“Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix.”

Kaepernick added: “Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens. We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that Black people face.

“We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted Black man in a white community, during my high school years. It’s an honour to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see.”

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