Takeo Spikes thinks Colin Kaepernick should be memorialized in the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
The former All-Pro linebacker, who was Kaepernick’s teammate in 2011 and 2012, told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole he thinks Kaepernick’s sacrifice in promoting awareness regarding police brutality and social inequities for Black Americans was an important moment in U.S. history:
“I think Colin Kaepernick, Monte I truly believe that he deserves some type of monument, a statue in the Smithsonian in D.C,” Spikes said to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole on the Jan. 29, 2021 airing of “Race in America: A Candid Conversation.”
“The reason why I say this is because this man put everything on the line. … You hear the term ‘You can become a slave to the money.’ But Colin, could have easily done that. But I applaud him simply because he decided to take a stand. He decided to draw a line in the sand and say look, ‘I can make the money, I can live a carefree life for the most part and get paid handsomely and never say a thing because I’m not affected.’ But he took time to look back and really just see the big picture, the spectrum when we talk about the inequalities.
“He decided to not only call it out, but take a stand for it.”
Kaepernick, who spent six seasons as a quarterback for the 49ers, began first sitting and then kneeling during the national anthem in the 2016 preseason. It became a hot-button topic around the country and he remains a controversial figure to most people some five years later.
Since the end of the 2016 season, Kaepernick has not played a single down in the NFL.
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Kaepernick finished the 2016 season with 16 passing touchdowns, four interceptions and two rushing TDs in 11 starts.
In what was likely his final start in the league forever, he completed 17 of 22 pass attempts for 215 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
