Kaepernick published his memoir, detailing his journey from NFL player to civil rights activist. The book further discusses his experiences with racial identity, adopting a black liberation ideology, and his activism.

Netflix announced a series called 'Colin in Black & White,' produced by Ava DuVernay, to explore Kaepernick's high school years and the experiences that led him to become an activist. The series premiered on Netflix on October 29, 2021.

Colin Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid reached a confidential settlement with the NFL regarding their collusion grievances, effectively concluding the legal battle without a public disclosure of any findings.

Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners for collusion to keep him out of the league as a result of his protests. He alleged that they had conspired not to hire him due to his political stance.

Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers, becoming a free agent. No NFL team signed him for the upcoming seasons, leading to allegations that the league was blackballing him due to his protests.

Kaepernick began protesting against racial injustice and police brutality by sitting, and later kneeling, during the U.S. national anthem prior to NFL games. His actions sparked a nationwide conversation about social issues and activism in sports.

Kaepernick made his first career start against the Chicago Bears, after 49ers starting quarterback Alex Smith was unable to play due to a concussion. Kaepernick performed well, and became the team's starter for the remainder of the season.

Colin Kaepernick was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 36th overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers. He was the sixth quarterback to be selected that year.