Back in 2016, Colin Kaepernick quietly took a knee during the national anthem before an NFL game. At first, no one really noticed. But once the media caught on, it turned into something way bigger than just football. Kaepernick explained that he was protesting police brutality and racial injustice in the U.S.—he wasn’t trying to disrespect the flag or the military, but a lot of people took it that way.

That one gesture—just kneeling—sparked a national conversation. Some people called him courageous, others called him unpatriotic. It was wild to see how something so simple could make such a huge impact. But that’s the thing: it wasn’t just about the act, it was about what it stood for.

The media had a field day with it. ESPN, Fox News, CNN—everyone had an opinion. A lot of the coverage focused more on the how (kneeling during the anthem) than the why (police violence and racism). And honestly, that kind of shifted the narrative. Instead of talking about the issue Kaepernick was raising, a lot of the conversation turned into arguments about patriotism.

Social media definitely made everything louder. Twitter especially was just nonstop. People were either supporting him with hashtags like #TakeAKnee, or completely against him. But the cool thing was that Kaepernick could speak for himself through his own platforms. He didn’t have to wait for interviews or hope a news outlet told his story right—he could just post.

And it didn’t stop with him. Other players joined in, across different sports. Teams, leagues, and even some companies started putting out statements. It honestly changed the way we look at athletes—like, they’re not just there to entertain. They have voices, and they can use them.

As far as impact goes, I think the media both helped and hurt. The coverage made sure everyone knew about it, which is huge. But at the same time, the message got a little buried under all the noise. Still, the fact that it started such a big movement says a lot.

Kaepernick hasn’t played in the NFL since, but what he did still matters. He made it clear that sports and activism don’t have to be separate. Sometimes, speaking up—even silently—is exactly what the moment needs.