Colin Kaepernick Announces New Book After NFL Comeback Attempts

The former 49ers quarterback reflects on his journey and continued fight for social justice.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:53am

A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes in shades of blue, green, and orange, conceptually representing the multifaceted journey and lasting impact of Colin Kaepernick's activism.Kaepernick's controversial protest sparked a movement that reshaped American sports and culture.San Diego Today

After several failed attempts to make an NFL comeback, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has announced the upcoming release of his fifth book, 'The Perilous Fight.' The book will chronicle Kaepernick's journey from his kneeling protest during the national anthem to the lasting impact it had on American sports and culture.

Why it matters

Kaepernick's protest against racial injustice effectively ended his NFL career, but he has remained committed to using his platform to drive social change. This new book provides Kaepernick an opportunity to share his full story and perspective on the sacrifices he made for his beliefs.

The details

Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012 and the NFC Championship game the following season, but was out of the league by 2016 after kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. Despite several attempts to make an NFL comeback over the past decade, no team has signed the former second-round pick. Now 38 years old, Kaepernick has announced the release of his fifth book, 'The Perilous Fight,' which he says will tell 'the full story' of his journey.

  • Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem in the 49ers' 2016 preseason finale against the then-San Diego Chargers.
  • Kaepernick was released by the 49ers following the 2016 season and has not played in the NFL since.

The players

Colin Kaepernick

A former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers who led the team to the Super Bowl in 2012 and the NFC Championship game in 2013, but whose NFL career was derailed after he kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.

Legacy Lit

The publishing company that will release Kaepernick's upcoming book, 'The Perilous Fight.'

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The takeaway

Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice effectively ended his NFL career, but he has remained committed to using his platform to drive social change. This new book provides him an opportunity to share his full perspective on the sacrifices he made and the lasting impact of his protest.