Latest news with #ColinKaepernick
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Aaron Rodgers': Fan chose Pittsburgh Steelers' QB as the answer to "Name a player you would defend with a long explanation"
(Image via Getty Images) That moment when the NFL regular season is months away. That moment when everybody is waiting for the NFL regular season to begin. That moment when the offseason seems uninteresting. That moment when a Sports Media Personality has to come up with games to keep the show running! - is exactly the moment now! Dov Kleiman, a Sports Media Personality, known for his NFL news aggregation on X(formerly Twitter), came up with an interesting game. On June 7, Kleiman shared a post on X where the image showed a person's fingers typing on the longest possible phone on earth. The text that the person typed may be a minimum of 500 words or more! Now, what Kleiman captioned this X post with was - 'Name a NFL player you would defend like this:' A fan wrote, 'Aaron Rodgers.' Check out the image below! Brock Purdy , Matthew Stafford, Lamar Jackson , OJ Simpson, Jalen Hurts, Cam Newton , Micah Parsons, and Colin Kaepernick were some of the players fans wanted to defend One fan wrote, 'Easy answer! For the fake sports news media it's Colin Kaepernick!' - In August 2016, Steve Wyche, Chief National Reporter for the NFL, wrote, 'San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has willingly immersed himself into controversy by refusing to stand for the playing of the national anthem in protest of what he deems are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States. ' A second fan said, 'Aaron Rodgers' - Is it for signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers or for never giving up on Ayahuasca Retreat? A third fan wrote, 'Brock Purdy' - Is it for being the highest-paid quarterback in the history of the NFL(five-year contract extension worth $265 million)? Another fan commented, '(Stefon)Diggs after the stuff on the boat 🤣' A fan chimed in, 'Antonio Brown' One fan said, 'Matthew Stafford (w/ Lions)' - Is it for choosing to stay with the Los Angeles Rams even after a $20 million pay cut? A fan jotted, 'Micah Parsons'- Could it be for using chess to play on the gridiron? One fan shared, 'Justin Jefferson > Jamar chase' Another fan mentioned a long list of NFL players, 'Jalen Hurts, Devonta Smith, AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata', Jalen Carter, Zach Baun, Quiyon Mitchell, Cooper Dejean, Cam Jurgens, Jake Elliot, Landon Dickerson, Nolan Smith, Nakobe Dean, shall I go on?' One fan wanted to defend Drake Maye, 'You should see my fantasy group chat of me Defending Drake Maye' Another fan commented, 'Oj Simpson' A second fan wrote, 'Cam Newton for sure 🫡' - Is it for saying the Carolina Panthers had a locker room of losers? A third fan said, 'Lamar Jackson and Lamar Jackson only' - Is it for not getting an extension with the Baltimore Ravens? Also Read: Adam 'Pacman' Jones arrested for assault on a police officer, alcohol intoxication, and disorderly conduct | NFL News - Times of India
New York Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
New York's Deepest Pockets Turn Out to Fight Poverty
Thousands of Wall Street big shots crowded into the Javits Center Monday night for the annual Robin Hood gala. Founded in 1988, Robin Hood is one of New York's largest anti-poverty groups, and its yearly fund-raiser lures the city's deepest pockets for a night that results in millions in grants. A sea of men in navy jackets and brown oxfords filed through metal detectors to enter the cavernous hall, which was decked out with sports-themed decorations that included a giant inflatable basketball and baseball mitt. Thirsty bankers and hedge fund managers ordered vodka tonics and pours of Johnnie Walker Black Label at a bar housed in a soccer net. Boxers standing on small podiums jabbed at bright green punching bags that read '#fightpoverty.' After a marching band and a cheerleading squad performed, some 3,500 guests filed into an arena-like dining hall filled with hundreds of tables populated with sports, politics and finance figures. They included the National Football League's commissioner Roger Goodell, the former N.F.L. quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the philanthropist Laurie M. Tisch and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Serena Williams sat beside her husband, Alexis Ohanian, one of the founders of Reddit and a Robin Hood board member. As the former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning tucked into a plate of fried chicken, he considered the importance of giving back. 'This city is filled with the people who root for me and who have rooted for me,' Mr. Manning said, 'and I think all New York athletes and sports teams have a responsibility to give back.' Across the arena, Mr. Bloomberg took his seat near Ms. Williams. 'There are always people worse off than you are, and there are always people who need help,' Mr. Bloomberg said. 'But when New York reaches out, it's a generous city.' Walking toward the men's bathroom, as basketball fans nodded at him with deference, was the former Knicks power forward Charles Oakley. 'Sure, some get into philanthropy for write-offs, but some of us grew up around giving back,' Mr. Oakley said. 'For me, it goes back to growing up in Cleveland and Alabama, and how my mother and grandmother always had people into their home for the holidays. Everyone knew you could go to them for a hot meal, whoever you were.' Lights dimmed when Michael Strahan, the former New York Giant, took the stage to help loosen the crowd's pocket books. 'This is what they call the Super Bowl of philanthropy,' he said. 'We're going to raise a lot of money tonight.' 'We're facing New York's toughest opponent: poverty,' he continued. 'So if the Robin Hood spirit hits you, there are Q.R. codes on your table for you to give. Do not be shy.' The event generated $72 million, according to a statement from Robin Hood. That figure included ticket sales, cash donations, pledges and annual gifts from donors motivated by the benefit. Richard Buery Jr., Robin Hood's chief executive, introduced a film about the organization's work with the nonprofit Henry Street Settlement, which documented its aid to several generations of a Lower East Side family, the Quezadas. When the film ended, he appeared under a spotlight beside the Quezadas in the crowd. The night would end with a private concert from the Weeknd, but the dinner's performers included the country music singer Keith Urban and the magician Oz Pearlman, who encouraged the crowd to donate more after each of his increasingly impressive feats of mentalism. Seth MacFarlane, the creator of 'Family Guy,' delivered a roast. 'It took a lot of planning to get this event together tonight, and a fabulous event this is,' he said. 'And now, we're all here working together to fix a problem that any one of you could fix by selling your beach house, and not even one of your good ones.' When he quipped about groups of financiers on dates with younger women, he drew more uncomfortable laughs. Paul Tudor Jones II, the billionaire hedge fund manager and one of the founders of Robin Hood, eventually took the stage to address challenges being endured by nonprofits in the face of funding cuts from the Trump administration. 'Now confronting us, the next great challenge is going to be the great poverty crisis,' Mr. Jones said, pacing about the platform. 'You don't have to be in the prediction business, if you read the papers and hear about the budget cuts, to know what's coming.' The crowds finally filed back out to a concert stage prepared for the Weeknd. As the pop star began gyrating and performing for the crowd, which resembled a massive Wall Street happy hour gathering, his audience danced stiffly to hits like 'Blinding Lights' and 'Can't Feel My Face.' One of the gala's guests, Pat Kiernan, the longtime morning anchor for the local cable news station NY1, considered what giving back meant as a New Yorker. 'We don't live behind windshields to each other's lives in this city,' Mr. Kiernan said. 'We're among each other out on the streets and in the subways. So if you have money in your pocket you can take out, you're going to take that chance to help your fellow New Yorker.'
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Meet Colin Kaepernick's long-time activist girlfriend Nessa Diab: she stood by her NFL star partner when he protested against police violence, and once gave a speech to the United Nations
NFL star-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick has been dating his long-time girlfriend, Nessa Diab, since 2015. The pair are known for their philanthropy, with Kaepernick now almost as famous for his civil rights activism as he is for his time on the football field. In 2016 the couple founded Know Your Rights Camp, a non-profit organisation focused on supporting Black and Brown communities. They also founded RA Vision Media, 'a multidisciplinary company that provides a platform to showcase the work of Black and Brown directors, producers, creators and storytellers'. In October of last year, Kaepernick collaborated with Diab on a children's book titled We Are Free, You & Me. Inspired by their two-year-old daughter and based on the 10 principles of Know Your Rights Camp (KYRC) – the non-profit group the authors founded – the book aims to inspire 'young people to live in the light of their own strength, truth and self-worth as they embark on their journey through life', as quoted by People. All proceeds from the book go to KYRC. Advertisement So what else do we know about Nessa Diab? What is Nessa Diab's background? Colin Kaepernick's girlfriend, Nessa Diab, has Egyptian roots. Photo: @nessnitty/Instagram Nessa Diab was born in the US to Egyptian parents who had emigrated to the country, People reports. She and her family are Muslim. Her parents had to work several jobs to make ends meet, despite being highly educated: her father was once a security guard, even after having had his Egyptian university credits transferred to UCLA, giving him the equivalent of a degree. Her mother worked as a hotel cleaner, even though she was a scientist. After her father was transferred to Saudi Arabia for a time, the family followed. She's a radio and podcast host Nessa Diab is a popular media personality. Photo: @nessnitty/Instagram Diab studied mass communications at the University of California, Berkeley and built a successful radio career that earned her a New York Emmy nod, notes People. She hosted award-winning interview series Talk Stoop for a season in 2018, but came to prominence in 2015 when MTV hired her for comedy series Girl Code.
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Colin Kaepernick makes powerful statement at Met Gala 9 years after he 'took the knee'
Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick has in the past drawn ire from politicians like Donald Trump for his political activism against racial injustice - now he's taken it to the red carpet The Met Gala has become known as the ultimate red carpet for celebs to show off designer outfits. However, it's world-renowned civil rights activist and former American football star Colin Kaepernick's attendance that has caused the biggest stir. As the pioneer of the 'Take the Knee' movement against racial injustice, his appearance has made a bold statement against the current US administration and ICE's crackdown on illegal immigration, which has been accused of racial profiling by the American Civil Liberties Union. The 2025 Met Gala was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with the theme 'Superfine: Celebrating Black Tailoring Black Style'. Colin showed up sporting a statement maroon chequered suit designed by Ozwald Boateng in his own interpretation of Black fashion and dandyism. "I think about the theme in relation to this moment and how powerful it is to bring the idea of 'Tailoring Black Style' to a moment where we see a lot of pressure and targeting of Black communities,' Colin told Vogue before the event. But, more than fashion, his presence at the event has served as a massive political statement to fans. The star once led the baseball team San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013. However, he hasn't played in the league since 2016 – after he knelt during the US national anthem. Colin began sitting out during the national anthem in 2016 as a protest against racial injustice and police brutality against African Americans in the US. He later transitioned to kneeling, which formed what would transform into a national act of resistance: 'taking the knee.' He said after the NFL game in 2016: 'I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of colour. To me, this is bigger than football.' As the 2016 season continued, more NFL players emulated his actions as a form of protest. The movement gained traction and quickly came to dominate worldwide headlines. On October 3, Colin was featured on the cover of Time magazine, which credited him with prompting a national debate 'about privilege, pride, and patriotism.' However, after the 2016 season ended, no team would sign Colin, likely due to the controversy surrounding him. The protests prompted widespread criticism from US politicians – including current president Donald Trump. In 2017, Trump launched a vicious attack on NFL players, at a rally for a Republican senator in Alabama. He was recorded saying: 'Get that son of a b---h off the field right now. Out! He's fired. He's fired!' Donald's incendiary comments went on to inspire one of the league's largest protests. On September, 2017, over 200 NFL players kneeled or sat during the national anthem in direct response to his calls for NFL players who took the knee to be fired. The 37-year-old former NFL player surprised fans when he strolled out onto the Met Gala red carpet with his long time girlfriend Nessa Diab. The pair had welcomed their first child in 2022, but have made few major public appearances as a couple since. Speaking to Vogue before the event, he said: 'This might be our first official time stepping out like this, and also just being parents.' Despite not playing since 2016, Colin has remained vocal about wanting to return to the game. Nessa revealed to TMZ earlier this year that he still trains everyday, adding: 'Nothing has changed. It's all up to the teams if they'll let him play.' In the meantime, Colin has made spreading social activism his main focus. In 2020, he launched the 'Know Your Rights' campaign with Nessa, which went directly towards providing marginalised communities with necessary supplies during the Covid pandemic. He also founded Kaepernick Publishing in 2019. The publishing company is aimed towards uplifting marginalised voices and allowing "black and brown writers to control their narratives and retain ownership." They have since published works like 'The Bridges Yuri Built: How Yuri Kochiyama Marched Across Movements' a biography by Kai Naima Williams. It details the life of 20th century Japanese American civil rights activist Yuri Kochiyama.
New York Post
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Bomani Jones shoots down Shedeur Sanders-Colin Kaepernick comparison: ‘Ridiculous thing to say'
Shedeur Sanders' stunning NFL draft freefall had been chalked up to a number of reasons — but comparing it to Colin Kaepernick's blacklisting has rubbed some people the wrong way. Bomani Jones is one of those people. 'To my colleagues who are making this a cause, you are embarrassing yourselves. You are playing yourselves,' Jones said in Monday's episode of 'The Right Time with Bomani Jones.' 3 Bomani Jones did not hold back on his thoughts surrounding the Shedeur Sanders and Colin Kaepernick comparison. The Right Time with Bomani Jones 'Even if part of why he fell is that people didn't like him, he was going for a job where being liked is part of the deal. They did it wrong. That's all it comes down to. They did it wrong.' While Kaepernick's and Sanders' situations can draw similarities from the fact that they both brought a sort of controversy and headache to a team that employs them, the former ESPN personality Jones says their situations can't be likened to one another. 'There are criticisms to be made of Colin Kaepernick, but he literally gave it all up in the name of a cause that was bigger than him. The only cause Shedeur Sanders has is himself,' Jones said. 'Don't you motherf–king dare act like those two things are the same. Do not. 'If your argument is, 'They wanted to show this outspoken black man his place,' No. 1, let us stop acting like outspoken and obnoxious are perfect synonyms. They are not,' Jones said. 3 Colin Kaepernick protested racial injustice leading up to his exit from the NFL. Getty Images 'Show me something that Shedeur Sanders has spoken out about. Tell me what that thing is, tell me what his cause is. He is not outspoken. I have not seen any reason to call him outspoken,' he continued. 'Even if you think he has been treated unfairly, 'outspoken' is a stretch. And it is a ridiculous thing to say about him, I believe.' NFL fans won't forget Kaepernick's exit from the league after protesting against police brutality and racial injustice in America by kneeling for the national anthem before games. He opted out of his contract with the 49ers in 2017 and was never picked up by another team. Sanders was seen as a top quarterback prospect in the draft, yet fell all the way to the fifth round before being drafted by the Browns. 3 Shedeur Sanders tumbled to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images While many reports have noted that teams were displeased with Sanders' interviews and attitude in the pre-draft process, the complete clear lack of interest from 32 NFL franchises for four-plus rounds drew some comparisons to Kaepernick's ostracization. 'Have you lost the plot so badly? Look around you, the whole world is on fire.' Jones went on in his rant. 'Because the NFL told an apparently obnoxious young man that he wasn't good enough to be a starter? He wasn't good enough to be a starter.'
