Colin Kaepernick named Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year

Colin Kaepernick receives Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year award Advertisement Updated: 11:11 PM CST Nov 7, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Jennifer Osting Colin Kaepernick receives Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year award Updated: 11:11 PM CST Nov 7, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Jennifer Osting Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was in Louisville Saturday night to receive the Muhammad Ali Center's Humanitarian of the Year award. Kaepernick, who played six seasons in the NFL, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers, is being recognized during the center's 13th annual awards ceremony. Advertisement Video above: From Colin Kaepernick to NFL Moment of Unity, how America reacts when athletes protest He became a national figure in 2016 after kneeling during the national anthem before games to protest racial injustice and police brutality. The protests sparked widespread debate and drew both support and criticism. Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season. In announcing the award, the Muhammad Ali Center cited Kaepernick's work addressing racial injustice and underserved communities. Kaepernick said Muhammad Ali's leadership and example helped prepare him for his own journey as an activist. Video below: Colin Kaepernick works out in New Orleans "I think of the influence of Ali. In many ways, he was training me before the world ever saw. He was preparing me for what was to come," Kaepernick said. The ceremony honored Louisville philanthropists Steve and Amy Trager with the Kentucky Humanitarian Award and recognized six changemakers age 30 or younger for their work in accessibility, technology, environmental sustainability and refugee support. "We know what we want. And we are so eager to go and get it. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of what young people have and the potential we actually have to carry in changes across the world," said Joseph Nguthiru, Dedication Award recipient. Among them was Confidence Award recipient Mateo Salvato, whose mobile app is helping more than half a million people with disabilities in 75 countries communicate. "We believe that dignity should not have a price tag to it," Salvato said. Other honorees included environmental activists Franziska Trautmann and Gab Mejia. Colin Kaepernick starts legal defense fund for protesters arrested in Minneapolis "The fighting spirit to use your passion, your purpose and your dreams and your imagination as a way forward. What can we do on this planet? What are the simple ways that we could do to make this bearable for each one of us?" Gab Mejia, Spirituality Award recipient. Giving Award Recipient Franziska Trautmann work focuses on recycling, coastal restoration and environmental sustainability. "We recycle glass in the Gulf South, expanding accessibility to recycling and then using that product to help fight coastal erosion. And so we hope to continue to expand our work and, you know, one day continue to live up to the Muhammad Ali name," she said. The annual awards celebrate the values Ali championed throughout his life, including equality, human dignity and social justice. The event also serves as the Muhammad Ali Center's largest annual fundraiser. Money raised supports the center's mission and its work throughout the community. Colin Kaepernick returns to Madden as a playable character for the first time since 2016 Make WISN a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks 76-foot Christmas tree arrives at Rockefeller Center High school band member stunned as 'Thunderstruck' performance goes viral Defense attorney for man convicted in Tupac murder trial found dead in Las Vegas Watch: Giant pandas make much-anticipated debut at Zoo Atlanta