Colin Kaepernick is receiving a major honor.
The Muhammad Ali Center has named the former NFL quarterback, civil rights activist, and entrepreneur its 2026 Humanitarian of the Year, recognizing his work at the intersection of sports, activism, equality, and human dignity.
Kaepernick will receive the award on November 7 during the 13th annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards in Louisville, Kentucky, the center announced.
The honor feels especially fitting. Like Muhammad Ali, Kaepernick became known for using his platform beyond sports, taking a public stand against racial injustice and sparking national conversations about protest, sacrifice, and the responsibility that can come with visibility.
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Through his work, Kaepernick has continued to focus on justice, education, and community impact. The Muhammad Ali Center said the award honors those whose work reflects Ali’s legacy of service and his belief in using one’s voice for something bigger than personal success.
“Receiving the Muhammad Ali Center’s Humanitarian of the Year Award is an incredible honor,” Kaepernick said in the announcement.
For Kaepernick, the recognition adds to a legacy already shaped by courage, conviction, and a willingness to stand firm even when it came at a cost.
A fitting honor for someone who has continued to use his platform for something bigger than the game.
