By Iacovos Iacovides, APC Sports Consulting
It’s been over four years since Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, refused to stand for the national anthem. He explained that he couldn’t show pride for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour. Kaepernick was blacklisted and punished, a response that’s hard to understand, especially with the recent uproar after George Floyd’s murder. At the time, Kaepernick became one of the most hated athletes in U.S. history. Megan Rapinoe later followed his lead, and she too was booed. She said:
“Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all liberties. It was something small I could do to spark meaningful conversations. It’s important for white people to support people of colour on this. We don’t need to lead, but standing with them is powerful.”
Today, taking the knee is common in the English Premier League, where players kneel before every game. It’s harder to remember that it started with George Floyd, but that’s the point. Floyd’s murder wasn’t the cause, but a symptom of racial injustice.
So why has this movement gained momentum? The underlying issues remain the same. Racism was as prevalent in 2016 as it is now, and people of colour were oppressed then, as they are now. The answer is momentum.
Momentum comes when society’s invisible force is identified and channelled in the right direction. This doesn’t mean athletes should stop fighting. They should always stay active in social justice, whether through activism, financial aid, or any injustice inside or outside the sports world.
We’ve already mentioned Marcus Rashford fighting for children’s rights, and Megan Rapinoe advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality. There are other well-known cases, and some faded from the spotlight. For instance, Arthur Ashe protested apartheid in South Africa and was arrested for demonstrating outside its embassy. Billie Jean King has been fighting for gender equality in sports for decades.
Donations are a common way for athletes to contribute to social justice, especially for those who prefer to avoid controversy. Athletes are rarely criticized for supporting social justice projects; they’re often scrutinized for staying silent. For example, NBA coaches and players who didn’t speak out about violence against African Americans faced backlash. While it’s easy to say, “How can they stay silent?”, history shows we often don’t support activist athletes. After the 2016 season, Kaepernick became a free agent and remains unsigned. Muhammad Ali also faced a career pause for opposing the Vietnam War and refusing military service. Ironically, most Americans eventually agreed with him.
The key difference in these cases was institutional support. Institutions, especially in sports, are slow to change and resist progress. Momentum is essential for any social justice project. It doesn’t guarantee success, but it can soften the backlash athletes face. Without figures like Kaepernick and Rapinoe willing to risk their careers, social justice movements in sports might not exist.
Social justice has always been part of sports, now more than ever. It takes many forms—racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights—through activism, donations, and more. Ultimately, it’s about seizing the right moment. However, identifying that moment is easy in hindsight, and misreading it can harm athletes’ careers. Despite the risks, the fight must continue.