Beyonce presented Colin Kaepernick with Sports Illustrated鈥檚 Muhammad Ali Legacy Award on Tuesday night, and Kaepernick promised that 鈥渨ith or without the NFL鈥檚 platform, I will continue to work for the people.鈥�
Beyonce was brought out as a surprise presenter by comedian Trevor Noah. She said she was 鈥減roud and humbled鈥� to present the award.
鈥淐olin took action with no fear of consequence or repercussion,鈥� Beyonce said. 鈥淥nly hope to change the world for the better. To change perception, to change the way we treat each other. Especially people of colour.鈥�
Last year鈥檚 Ali Award winner, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, called Kaepernick a 鈥渨orthy recipient鈥� during a video tribute.
鈥淗e fully embraced the risk to his career in order to remind Americans of the systemic racism that was denying African Americans their opportunities to equal education, jobs, health and even their lives,鈥� Abdul-Jabbar said.
Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem last season to protest racial inequality and police brutality. The demonstration sparked a wave of protests by NFL players during the anthem that repeatedly have been denounced by President Donald Trump.
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Kaepernick parted ways with the San Francisco 49ers in March and hasn鈥檛 been signed by another team. He filed a grievance against the NFL in October alleging that he remains unsigned as a result of collusion by owners following his protests.
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He spoke Tuesday about continuing Ali鈥檚 legacy for fighting social injustice, saying the boxing great 鈥渕entored me without ever meeting me.鈥�
鈥淭he footprints he leaves are large,鈥� Kaepernick said, 鈥渁nd his life is and has been a multi-textured tapestry that is rich in love, wisdom, life lessons and human kindness. I can only hope that I鈥檓 taking steps toward walking on the footsteps that he has left behind for the world to follow.鈥�
Kaepernick skipped the red carpet prior to the show and was not available for questions. The awards show will be broadcast Friday night on NBC Sports Network.
Kaepernick also recently was honoured by the ACLU of Southern California with the Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award and was named GQ magazine鈥檚 鈥淐itizen of the Year鈥� for his activism, which included pledging $1 million to 鈥渙rganizations working in oppressed communities.鈥�
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Jake Seiner, The Associated Press
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