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.
For Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, honoring Kaepernick at the Muhammad Ali Center underscores the city’s connection to figures whose influence extends far beyond its borders.
“Every year, the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards bring the world together to celebrate people who have taken a stand and made a real impact,” Greenberg said.
Reflecting on athletes using their platforms for advocacy, Greenberg said speaking out requires courage. “Whether you’re a celebrity, an athlete or an elected official, if you have a platform and feel compelled to speak out, that is your right, and I commend people who do it. It takes guts,” Greenberg said, adding that he encourages people to leave the world better than they found it.
The evening also brought the cast of Amazon Prime’s series “The Greatest” to the Ali Center. Actor Omari Hardwick, discussing the show’s father-son dynamic, reflected on the responsibility of encouraging the next generation while preparing them for the obstacles ahead.
“There’s a lot of push and pull, pushing him into the sky, getting him to believe in his flight, and then pulling him back to remind him that it’s not easy for a Black bird to fly,” Hardwick said.
He also reflected on how portraying a father deepened his understanding of his own upbringing.
“To be able to play the father of somebody who I feel like I moved a lot like, I definitely had a better understanding for what it must have been like for my father to raise me,” Hardwick said.
The conversation about guidance and perseverance carried particular weight at an event celebrating Ali, whose example continues to influence generations of athletes and activists. For Kaepernick, Ali’s courage provided a blueprint for navigating the personal and professional consequences of standing up for his convictions.
Although Kaepernick declined press interviews before the ceremony, his acceptance speech offered a reflection on social justice and the legacy Ali left behind. Looking back on his decade-long absence from the NFL, Kaepernick described how the boxing legend’s example helped him persevere.
“In many ways, Ali was training me before the world ever saw it,” Kaepernick told the audience, thanking fellow athletes Eric Reid, Kenny Stills and Michael Thomas, who joined him in kneeling during the national anthem.
Kaepernick closed by urging attendees to look beyond individual achievement and invest in building stronger communities.
“When I think about the boldness of Ali, it is our responsibility not to just tinker around the edges. We shouldn’t just be looking for another seat at the table. We should be building our own tables, our own houses, our own communities,” Kaepernick said.
“Our goal should not just be to reach the highest heights individually. It should be: what are we willing to sacrifice to make sure that we are bringing the most amount of people with us on that journey?”
