Kaepernick Wins Muhammad Ali Center Humanitarian Award

Colin Kaepernick received the Muhammad Ali Center’s 2026 Humanitarian of the Year award at its annual ceremony in Louisville, recognizing his work addressing racial injustice and supporting underserved communities. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback became a national figure in 2016 for kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality, and he has since pursued advocacy and education work. The ceremony also honored six young changemakers for efforts spanning accessibility, artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, and refugee support, reflecting the Muhammad Ali Center’s Six Core Principles. Kaepernick said Ali’s example helped prepare him for his own path as an activist.