From Kaepernick's kneel to a muted arena: how far-right forces dimmed athlete activism

A wave of social-justice protests among athletes began in the early 2010s, with players wearing hoodies after Trayvon Martin’s death and displaying “I Can’t Breathe” shirts after Eric Garner’s killing. The movement reached a national flashpoint when Colin Kaepernick knelt during the 2016 anthem, prompting a backlash that included death threats, vilification by Donald Trump and an unofficial ban from NFL employment. Journalist Howard Bryant notes that leagues also blocked post-playing opportunities, effectively cutting off any second career for dissenters.

In the years that followed, far-right figures such as Sophie Cunningham, Martina Navratilova and Nick Bosa have dominated sports discourse, while social-media trolls and bots create a hostile environment for activists. The WNBA’s activism has waned as corporate sponsorships and higher salaries bring increased scrutiny and sexism. A turning point, according to Bryant, was the silence of athletes after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, signaling fatigue and resignation. Though Kaepernick’s memoir is set for release on Sept. 15, observers like sociologist Harry Edwards believe another era of athlete protest will eventually arise, even if its leaders are not yet visible.