NFL continues anti-racism messaging as Kaepernick's impact endures

As the NFL enters the 2026 season, it will again incorporate anti-racism messaging across fields and player helmets for the seventh consecutive year. This practice began in 2020 following widespread protests after George Floyd’s death. The league will continue to display messages like "End Racism" and allow players to wear helmet decals honoring victims of racial violence. The NFL has also incorporated the Black national anthem into significant events, starting in 2020. Colin Kaepernick last played for the 49ers in 2016, but his protest against racial injustice continues to influence the league’s social justice initiatives.

• 2:47 PMYahoo Sports — Kaepernick’s Legacy Lives On as NFL’s Anti-Racism Messaging Continues