Kaepernick Named Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year

The Muhammad Ali Center has named former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick its 2026 Humanitarian of the Year, recognizing his decade-long advocacy against racial injustice and his work empowering underserved communities. The announcement, made on August 25, 2026, comes ten years after Kaepernick first began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Kaepernick will receive the honor at the 13th annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, the center's largest annual fundraiser, scheduled for November 7, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky. The award places him among past recipients such as Shaquille O'Neal, Christina Aguilera, and Michael J. Fox.