Colin Kaepernick Says Heāll Leave for Russia If He Doesnāt Get the Respect He Deserves in the U.S.
In a surprising twist that even Hollywood couldnāt have scripted, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has reportedly declared that heās had enough of the disrespect in the United States and is now seriously considering packing his bags for Russia if things donāt improve.
Yes, you read that rightāRussia.
In a lengthy and somewhat baffling interview with a fringe podcast (because where else would this story originate?), Kaepernick outlined his frustrations with the state of America, claiming that the disrespect heās faced since kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 has reached an all-time high. According to him, unless things start to change, heās out of hereāand Moscow is the next stop.
āIāve Tried Everything, But America Just Isnāt Listeningā
For years, Kaepernick has been a polarizing figure, both in and out of the football world. What began as a peaceful protest against racial injustice and police brutality quickly snowballed into a nationwide controversy, leading to Kaepernick being effectively blackballed from the NFL.
Despite this, the former 49ers quarterback remained committed to his cause, becoming a powerful voice for social justice and launching numerous campaigns aimed at raising awareness for issues affecting marginalized communities.
But apparently, itās not enough.
āIāve tried everything,ā Kaepernick said in his podcast interview, sounding a bit like someone whoās done with their day job and ready to move to Bali to start a meditation retreat. āI kneeled, I donated, I worked with organizations. But at the end of the day, it feels like the country just isnāt listening. And if America wonāt respect me for the work Iāve done, maybe Russia will.ā
Yes, because if thereās one country known for its deep respect for outspoken athletes and social justice warriors, itās Russia.
When asked why heād choose Russia, of all places, Kaepernickās response was as cryptic as it was eyebrow-raising. āLook, I know what youāre thinking,ā he said, pausing dramatically as if he could hear the collective confusion through the airwaves. āBut hear me out. Russia has thisā¦ strength. This toughness. They donāt pretend to care about things they donāt care about. Itās pure. Uncomplicated.ā
Kaepernick went on to explain that, in his mind, America has become ātoo soft,ā with its endless political debates and āperformative wokenessā not leading to real change. āIn Russia, you know where you stand. I respect that.ā
Itās unclear whether Kaepernick has actually done any research into the current political climate of Russia, where dissent isnāt exactly rewarded with job offers or endorsement deals. Nevertheless, the quarterback seemed convinced that the respect he craves might be found in a country where protesting athletes are more likely to be sidelined in ways far more permanent than anything Roger Goodell could dream up.
Predictably, the internet had a field day with Kaepernickās latest announcement. Within minutes of the podcast airing, #KapGoesRussian was trending on Twitter, with reactions ranging from disbelief to hilarity. Many users couldnāt resist pointing out the irony of Kaepernick seeking respect in a country where the government has, historically, not been known for tolerating dissent.
āWaitā¦ Kaepernick thinks Russia will respect him more? The same Russia that doesnāt allow free speech? I need to lie down,ā tweeted @NotAClue69, perfectly capturing the collective confusion.
Other users took a more humorous approach. āSo, whenās the documentary dropping? āFrom Kneeling to Moscow: The Colin Kaepernick Storyā coming to Netflix this fall,ā joked @FreedomFryFan, while @RealPatriot1776 quipped, āCan we start a GoFundMe to buy him a one-way ticket?ā
The memes were relentless. Photoshopped images of Kaepernick donning a fuzzy Russian ushanka hat, throwing a football in Red Square, and riding a bear alongside Vladimir Putin quickly flooded the internet.
But amidst the laughter, there were also those who saw this as yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of Colin Kaepernick vs. the World. Supporters of the former quarterback defended his frustrations, arguing that his point, while perhaps extreme, highlighted the broader issue of how America treats those who challenge the status quo.
āLook, heās clearly not serious about Russia,ā tweeted @JusticeForAll. āBut his point stands: America hasnāt given him the respect he deserves, and heās frustrated. Can you blame him?ā
Whether or not Kaepernick is serious about relocating to Russia remains to be seen, but his latest comments have certainly sparked debateāyet againāabout the state of activism in America and the role of athletes in politics. And while itās easy to dismiss his Russia remark as the ramblings of someone fed up with the system, it does raise an interesting question: where does Kaepernick go from here?
Despite being out of the NFL since 2016, Kaepernick has remained a cultural force, with a dedicated following and a platform that few other athletes-turned-activists can match. Heās signed lucrative deals with brands like Nike, written memoirs, and launched initiatives aimed at helping communities in need. But at the end of the day, his ultimate goalāto return to the NFLāhas remained elusive.
āIāve been training. Iām ready to play,ā Kaepernick reiterated during the interview. āBut if the NFL doesnāt want me, and America doesnāt respect me, maybe itās time to try something new.ā
While itās hard to imagine Kaepernick trading in his cleats for a matryoshka doll anytime soon, his frustrations are palpable. After all, this is a man who has spent the better part of the last decade being either revered or reviled for taking a standāsometimes both at the same time.
In the grand tradition of celebrity announcements that may or may not be serious, Colin Kaepernickās declaration that heād consider leaving for Russia has left everyoneāsupporters and critics alikeāwondering what his next move will be. Will he actually board a flight to Moscow, or is this just another way to highlight his ongoing battle for respect in the U.S.?
Only time will tell. But if one thingās for sure, itās that Colin Kaepernick knows how to keep people talking. Whether heās kneeling on a football field or musing about life in Russia, heās not going away quietly.
And if he does end up in Russia, well, we can only hope he packs a warm coat.