In a year when American pride is back at the forefront under President Trump’s leadership, Colin Kaepernick—the ex-NFL quarterback who sparked a nationwide firestorm for kneeling during the national anthem—has resurfaced with a fresh message: he has no regrets.
“It was absolutely worth it,” Kaepernick told ABC News, referring to his 2016 decision to kneel during the anthem in protest of what he called police brutality. “If even one life was saved… it’ll be worth it every day of the week.”
The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, now 38, hasn’t taken a snap since 2016. But that hasn’t stopped him from leveraging his notoriety into political and educational activism—this time with a new twist: artificial intelligence.
Kaepernick is rolling out a pilot AI education program in Prince George’s County, Maryland—one of the most progressive districts in the country. Through his company Lumi, students interact with AI-powered “storytelling” tools designed to enhance literacy and creativity.
Critics are raising eyebrows.
While Kaepernick claims it’s about “advancing our students” and “setting each other up for success,” conservatives warn the program could become another vehicle for ideological indoctrination under the guise of tech innovation.
“This isn’t just about AI. It’s about who controls the narrative in our schools,” said conservative education reformer Julie Hargrave. “We’ve seen how public schools have been weaponized in recent years. Now add AI to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for manipulation.”
Democratic leaders in Maryland praised Kaepernick’s return to the spotlight.
“He stood by what was right on the field, and now he’s standing by what’s right in this community,” said County Executive Aisha Braveboy. “That’s ensuring every child has the ability to learn.”
Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) credited Kaepernick for inspiring “a generation of athlete-activists,” declaring at a high school event, “The ripple effects are still going.”
But outside the auditorium, reactions were mixed.
Veteran and retired Army Ranger Tom Wilcox, who attended the event out of curiosity, said: “I came to see if Kaepernick had changed. He hasn’t. Same message, same defiance. It’s disappointing, especially in 2025, when this country’s finally turning a corner under President Trump again.”
Despite years of absence from the NFL, Kaepernick insisted he hasn’t given up hope of returning to the league.
“We still train every morning,” he said. “We always gonna be ready.”
But as of now, no team—not even during an injury-ridden 2025 NFL season—has expressed interest in bringing him back.
NFL insiders suggest that ship sailed long ago. “Teams don’t want the drama,” one AFC executive told Gridiron Report. “There’s nothing wrong with speaking your mind, but when you disrespect the flag, you lose the locker room—and the fans.”
In 2016, then-President Obama largely sidestepped Kaepernick’s protests. But President Trump, during his first term, famously called out the NFL for allowing players to kneel, igniting a cultural battle that still simmers today.
Kaepernick initially sat during the anthem before switching to kneeling. At the time, he said his actions were about “bringing awareness” to injustice in America.
But to many Americans—especially veterans and law enforcement families—it was seen as a direct insult to the flag, the troops, and the country itself.
Today, with Trump back in office and patriotic education initiatives sweeping schools, Kaepernick’s reemergence raises tough questions: Is this about helping kids, or reviving a failed culture war?
Kaepernick may no longer wear a jersey, but he’s still playing the long game—this time in the classroom, not the end zone.
Whether his latest efforts will inspire students or reignite old divisions remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: he’s not backing down.
“We have to be able to do whatever it takes,” Kaepernick said. “To make sure we’re advancing our communities.”
For many, those words echo the same message that divided the nation nearly a decade ago.
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To Hell with him!
The county executive said “he stood by what was right on the field….”.. This shows the mindset of the county government. If they think disrespecting the U.S. flag and all it stands for was the right thing to do, I feel sorry for the students in their schools.
well he definetly does not have my respect.
He’s simply trying to make himself relevant like when he kneeled as a subpar quarterback.
One thing for sure, if his AI program indoctrinates students to believe how much they’ve been picked on their entire life…. They will learn that indoctrination better than they will ever learn real, unaltered American history.
Sad how that works in today’s Amerika.
Kaepernick continues to remain a total failure. His kneeling during the national anthem is the highest form of disrespect to those who died for our country and for their supportive families who have to live with Kaepernick’s deplorable behavior.