Controversial football star Colin Kaepernick accused his white adoptive parents of perpetuating racism in a new interview.
The former NFL star told CBS Chicago he struggled growing up in a “problematic” household, a throughline he details in his upcoming graphic novel, “Change the Game.”
“I know my parents loved me, but there were still very problematic things that I went through,” Kaepernick said.
“It was important to show that, no, this can happen in your own home, and how we move forward collectively while addressing the racism that is being perpetuated.”
The graphic novel tells the story of Kaepernick’s journey from high school into his storied athletic career that heavily centers around his lack of choice in his future. His parents, particularly, tried to steer him in a direction they thought was best, which led to several fights between them and their adopted son.
Colin Kaepernick accused his white adoptive parents of a “problematic” upbringing. Colin Kaepernick
One of these disagreements illustrated in the novel was a fight over his hairstyle.
Kaepernick, in an attempt to idolize basketball player Allen Iverson, wanted to embrace his blackness by wearing cornrows, but his mother pushed back.
“He’s getting what rolls?” his mother, Teresa, is cited as saying in the book.
Colin Kaepernick told CBS Chicago he struggled growing up in a “problematic” household. Colin Kaepernick
The book discusses racism Kaepernick says he saw in his hometown while growing up. Kaepernick PublishingIn reality, she allegedly told him: “Oh, your hair’s not professional. Oh, you look like a little thug.”
The conversation with his mother has continued to impact Kaepernick’s life decades later, he said, even influencing his now-famous afro hairstyle.
“It also is informed why I have my hair long today,” Kaepernick said Thursday.
Kaepernick wrote that he chose to pursue football because there were more black professional players in that sport. Kaepernick Publishing
A page from Kaepernick’s book about receiving a college scholarship offer. Kaepernick Publishing
One of the problems Kaepernick brings up was a fight over his hairstyle. CBSThe lack of racial harmony in his own home encouraged Kaepernick to find community elsewhere, he said.
He chose to pursue a football career instead of a professional baseball career — both of which prospects were equally achievable — because there were significantly more black players in the NFL than MLB, he said.
Kaepernick still hopes to return to the turf, which he hasn’t seen since his 2016 ousting for kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice.
Since then, he’s worked as an activist and advocate for social justice issues and created a Netflix documentary with director Spike Lee that will detail his NFL protests.
