The Muhammad Ali Center has named Colin Kaepernick its 2026 Humanitarian of the Year, honoring the former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist for his work off the field. The announcement was reported by Spectrum News, Complex, Yahoo Sports and WDRB, among others.
Kaepernick, who knelt during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racial injustice, has spent the years since building activist organizations and supporting community programs. The Ali Center, based in Louisville, Kentucky, honors figures who carry forward Muhammad Ali’s legacy of standing up for what they believe.
Key facts at a glance
| Award | Humanitarian of the Year, 2026 |
| Presented by | Muhammad Ali Center (Louisville, Kentucky) |
| Recipient | Colin Kaepernick, former NFL quarterback |
| Why | Recognition of his civil rights activism (Complex) |
| Prior honor | SI Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, presented by Beyoncé |
An honor built on activism
The Ali Center’s awards recognize people who “stand up for their beliefs,” in the spirit of the boxer who gave up his title rather than fight a war he opposed. Kaepernick’s selection places him in that tradition, honoring years of work with Know Your Rights Camp and other initiatives.
From the field to the Ali Center
Kaepernick’s path from quarterback to activist has been closely watched since 2016. While his football career stalled after the anthem protests, his influence never faded, and honors like this one have become an annual reminder of the conversation he started.
Watch: The recognition
What the videos show
- A former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist “will be honored as the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year,” the Ali Center announced.
- Kaepernick has also been recognized with the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, presented by Beyoncé.
What the award means
The honor connects two generations of athletes who used their platforms at great personal cost. For Kaepernick, it is the latest sign that his activism, once deeply controversial, is now recognized as part of Ali’s own tradition.
Sources: Spectrum News, Complex, Yahoo Sports, WDRB
