Colin Kaepernick is named to the University of Nevada's Hall of Fame class of 2020 - but his induction will be postponed due to COVID-19
NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick has been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame at his alma mater, the University of Nevada in Reno.
The school revealed its Hall of Fame class of 2020 inductees on Friday, which included Kaepernick, two of his Wolf Pack teammates, one women's and two men's basketball players, including former NBA forward Luke Babbitt.
'The 2020 Hall of Fame class represents some of the best of the best in Wolf Pack history,' athletic director Doug Knuth said in a statement. 'This is an incredible collection of accomplished student-athletes and we can't wait for the opportunity to welcome them back to campus and celebrate their careers.'
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, there will not be an induction dinner this year. The school does plan to hold an event when it is safe.
8873883 Colin Kaepernick is named to the University of Nevada's Hall of Fame class of 2020 - but his induction will be postponed due to COVID-19
NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick has been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame at his alma mater, the University of Nevada in Reno. The Wisconsin native tossed for 10,098 yards in college and gained another 4,112 yards on the ground to go with his 142 total touchdowns. In his senior season, Kaepernick guided the Wolf Pack to a 13-1 record and a win over Boston College in the Fight Hunger Bowl to finish 11th in the country
Kaepernick jumps to cross into the end zone for a touchdown in an NCAA college football game against Utah State in Reno in 2008
Before being taken by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Kaepernick was a star at Nevada, an unheralded program in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Wisconsin native tossed for 10,098 wars in college and gained another 4,112 yards on the ground to go with his 142 total touchdowns. In his senior season, Kaepernick guided the Wolf Pack to a 13-1 record and a win over Boston College in the Fight Hunger Bowl to finish 11th in the country.
He also graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average.
Kaepernick, now entering his fourth season as a free agent, became a civil rights figure as a member of the 49ers in 2016 when he refused to stand for the anthem in protest of inequality and racist police brutality.
Kaepernick, now entering his fourth season as a free agent, became a civil rights figure as a member of the 49ers in 2016 when he refused to stand for the anthem in protest of inequality and racist police brutality
He has '... been widely recognized for his social activism, winning prestigious awards including 2017 GQ Magazine Citizen of the Year, the 2017 Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, the 2017 American Civil Liberties Union Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award and the 2018 Harvard University W. E. B. Du Bois Medal,' read his bio in Friday's press release.
'Most recently he has been selected along with the nation's top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci as the 2020 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope award laureates, an award given out to leaders who use their platforms for good and demonstrate a commitment to social change.'
Kaepernick opted out of his contact in anticipation of his release in March of 2017, but has not been signed. In 2019, he settled a grievance with the NFL for an undisclosed amount after accusing owners of blackballing him in retaliation for the controversial protests.
Kaepernick is still training in hopes of an NFL return, while continuing to raise money for his charity, the Know Your Rights Camp, as well as other entrepreneurial and charitable endeavors.
Although Kaepernick remains an NFL pariah, commissioner Roger Goodell admitted in June that the league should have listened to players' concerns about racism sooner, adding that he encourages teams to sign the former 49ers star.
Kaepernick looks to pass the ball against Boston College during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, where he later played for the 49ers