Colin Kaepernick makes $1 million pledge to charities

In light of his protest, the 49ers quarterback has pledged $1 million of his 2016 salary towards progressive community organizations.

In the wake of his much-publicized and debated stance against recognizing the national anthem, Colin Kaepernick has continued to shake up the headlines. He once again took a proverbial stand against the Star Splanged Banner Thursday night, opting to take a knee before the San Francisco 49ers final preseason tune up game against the San Diego Chargers.

This time, however, his actions on the field are being trumped by what he’s pledged to do off of it.

According to NBC News, Kaepernick has committed to donating $1 million of his season earnings this year to various community efforts, while adding he has already been working with some of these organizations to ensure the best possible outcome for his investment.

“I’ve been very blessed to be in this position, and make the kind of money I do, and I have to help these people,” Kaepernick told reporters after the game. “I have to help these communities. It’s not right that they’re not put in the position to succeed, or given the opportunities to succeed.”

It was yet another chapter in what has been a whirlwind week for the embattled 49ers quarterback, who totaled 88 all-purpose yards himself while driving the Niners to a score on their first possession. It set the tone for 31-21 victory for the club, who will open its season on Sept. 12 as the second half of a Monday Night Football doubleheader against the re-minted Los Angeles Rams.

The announcement capped off yet another contentious 24 hours for Kaepernick, who also had to explain a widely reported photograph of socks he’d previously worn depicting police officers as cartoon pigs. However, Kaepernick did his best to squash the controversy, explaining that the socks had been worn far before the controversy ever erupted.

For all of the criticism he’s faced, Kaepernick has also been buoyed over the last few days by the ‘#VeteransForKaepernick’ movement, many of whose members have stood behind the embattled quarterback, citing that they fought for the very freedom of expression Kaepernick has demonstrated.

Kapernick met with one such supporter before Thurday’s game: former Green Beret Nate Boyer, who attended training camp with the Seattle Seahawks a year ago and who stood next to Kaepernick has the National Anthem played prior to the game.

Kaepernick has stated that his protest will continue until he sees ‘meaningful change’ in the state of minority affairs in America. And while debates will rage on about his method of expression, one thing that can’t be denied is that Kaepernick is putting his money where his mouth is — and his heart.