San Francisco 49er’s backup quarterback has been drawing attention all season long with his refusal to stand for the national anthem, taking a knee to draw attention to racial injustice in America. He’s drawn wide criticism for acting so free and brave during a song about the free and the brave.
Nevertheless, he’s not just talking the talk when it comes to standing up for the disenfranchised, he’s putting his money where his mouth is:
Kaepernick announced the month of December’s donations Friday, with the largest portion — US$50,000 — donated to the Mni Wiconi Health Clinic Partnership at the Standing Rock camp, set up in resistance to the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline.
According to Kaepernick’s website, 50 percent of the funds will pay the salaries of the doctors and nurses, while the rest is split between building materials for the camp’s mobile medical clinic, medical supplies and liability insurance.
The free clinic at the camp was set up for protesters that have been gathered there over the last few months in a historic uprising to block the controversial US$3.8 billion oil pipeline.
He also personally packed and donated his sneaker collection to benefit Bay Area homeless shelters and orphanages. And lest you think that sounds like no big deal, the man’s sneaker collection is so large he had to convert his garage into a shoe closet! There is a big market for collectible sneakers and here’s hoping they’ll fetch top dollar for the kids.
It’s no wonder his teammates voted to give him the annual Len Eshmont award, which is given each year to the 49er who best exemplifies the “inspirational and courageous play” of Len Eshmont.