Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is still surprised with the global effect of his silent protest against racism during NFL games.
Kaepernick told the GQ magazine that of course he is aware that racism is a global problem, "but it surprised me how this protest spread across the world. I didn't know that the problem was so deeply rooted in so many countries.
"I think nobody had expected this reaction," he said.
Kaepernick, now a civil rights activist, was drafted by the 49ers in 2011 and led them to the NFC Championship game in 2013, in which they were defeated by eventual Super Bowl winners Seattle Seahawks.
In the 2016 pre-season, he sat during the playing of the US national anthem prior to the game, rather than standing as is customary. The act was a protest against racial injustice and police brutality.
In the 49ers' final pre-season game, Kaepernick kneeled during the US anthem to show more respect to US military members while still protesting.
His act led to highly polarizing reactions, with many denouncing the protests. In 2017, then US President Donald Trump said that NFL owners should fire players who protest during the national anthem.
Inspired by Kaepernick, other NFL players and pro athletes in other sports conducted various forms of silent protests during the national anthem.
On the one hand, it's "tragic that such actions are needed at all," Kaepernick said.
"On the other hand, it makes me optimistic to see how many people recognize the reality of what is happening in the world. This opens up the possibility of changing this reality and creating a better future," he said.
Kaepernick was told by the 49ers they planned to release him and opted out of his contract at the start of 2017 and hasn't played in the NFL since.