GQ Names Colin Kaepernick Citizen Of The Year

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — GQ magazine has named former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick its 2017 citizen of the year, the magazine announced Monday.

Kaepernick, who is now a free agent, started a protest movement in the NFL during his time at the 49ers by kneeling during the national anthem before games to call attention to police brutality in the black community.

The protest spread across the league this year, and made headlines when President Donald Trump began a social media campaign against NFL stars kneeling as the national anthem played before games.

Kaepernick has not been signed to an NFL team since his free agency began at the end of last season, drawing many to argue his decision to kneel during the anthem has made teams wary of bringing him on.

GQ noted this in their profile of Kaepernick, who did not speak with the magazine on the record for the story.

“He's been vilified by millions and locked out of the NFL — all because he took a knee to protest police brutality,” GQ wrote. “But Colin Kaepernick's determined stand puts him in rare company in sports history: Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson—athletes who risked everything to make a difference.”

Off the field, Kaepernick hosts a "Know Your Rights Camp" in cities across the country that aims to teach children about how to interact with law enforcement. The camp, which is funded by Kaepernick, also seeks to "raise awareness" on higher education and self empowerment, according to their website.

GQ’s profile quotes a number of Kaepernick’s friends and colleagues, including rapper J. Cole and singer Harry Belafonte, who are inspired by the protest movement he began and by the charity work he does.

“Had he not done that, this guy would be making millions of dollars right now,” J. Cole said about Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the anthem. “Period, point blank. And more important than the money, he was living his dream. He sacrificed his dream.”

Kaepernick wrote on Twitter Monday that he is “honored” to be chosen for the title.

Watch: GQ names Colin Kaepernick 'Citizen of the Year'

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File