Colin Kaepernick’s Net Worth and Career Earnings
An American football player and social activist, Colin Kaepernick has achieved a net worth of $20 million. Over the span of his six NFL seasons from 2011 to 2016, he earned slightly over $43 million in salary (before taxes and fees). His highest NFL salary reached $14.3 million during the 2016 season. Kaepernick is recognized not only as an athlete but also for his activism, especially for kneeling during the national anthem at NFL games, protesting against racial inequality and police brutality in the United States.
Early Life
Born on November 3, 1987, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Colin Rand Kaepernick was adopted shortly after birth. He became the third child of Rick and Teresa Kaepernick, who had already lost two sons to heart defects. The family, which also includes son Kyle and daughter Devon, lived in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, until Colin was four when they relocated to California. At John H. Pitman High School in Turlock, California, he was a standout student-athlete with a 4.0 GPA. Initially focusing on baseball, he received multiple scholarship offers for college baseball, but ultimately chose to pursue football, securing a spot at the University of Nevada. During his college football career, Kaepernick consistently ranked among the top quarterbacks in the country, setting several records and earning various accolades, including being named the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Offensive Player of the Year twice. He made history as the only player in NCAA Division I FBS to rack up over 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards throughout his career.
NFL Career
Although Colin was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2009, he opted to continue with football instead of signing with MLB. Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, he initially played as a backup quarterback until 2012. Notably, he shone during the 2012 season, culminating in leading the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII, where they narrowly lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 31-34. In the following 2013 season, Kaepernick guided the 49ers to the NFC Championship game, which ended in defeat against the Seattle Seahawks.
During the 49ers’ third preseason game in 2016, Kaepernick made the decision to sit out while the U.S. national anthem was played, opting not to stand as was customary. This act was a form of protest against racial injustice, police brutality, and systemic oppression in the nation. Subsequently, he kneeled during the anthem for the rest of the regular season, provoking strong reactions for and against his actions. His protest gained significant media attention, particularly after President Donald Trump suggested in September 2017 that NFL owners should “fire” players who protested during the anthem.
After that season, Kaepernick became a free agent but was not signed by any team. Even though he worked out with the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2022, he has remained outside the league as of now.
Record Contract
In June 2014, Colin secured a seven-year extension with the 49ers. This deal had the potential to earn him up to $126 million, with $61 million in possible guarantees. The extension also included a signing bonus of $12.3 million and a salary of $640,000 for the upcoming season. Only the $13 million was fully guaranteed from the contract’s outset, and the $61 million in potential guaranteed money was contingent on him suffering a career-ending injury. At the time, this was a record-setting contract.
As per the agreement’s structure,
Each year that Colin was not selected for either the first or second All-Pro team, or if the 49ers did not compete in the Super Bowl during the previous season while he played at least 80% of the snaps, his base salary was decreased by $2 million. Consequently, his starting base salary of $12.4 million for the 2015 season decreased to $10.4 million.
In March 2017, Kaepernick learned of the 49ers’ intention to release him. He chose to opt out of his contract to pursue free agency. Ultimately, Colin accumulated $39 million from his groundbreaking $126 million contract.
NFL Lawsuit And Settlement
In 2017, Colin filed a grievance against the NFL, claiming that the league and its owners conspired to prevent him from playing due to his choice to kneel during the National Anthem. The lawsuit was settled privately in February 2019, with the payment amount remaining undisclosed. On February 18, 2019, various sports news outlets suggested that the settlement could have been in the range of $60 – $80 million. However, a month later, it became evident that the actual settlement figure was likely closer to $10 million.
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Nike Contract
Colin entered into his first endorsement deal with Nike in 2011. After Colin was left without a team following the 2017 season, many speculated that Nike chose not to renew their contract. In 2018, the company launched an advertising campaign marking the 30th anniversary of “Just Do It,” featuring Kaepernick alongside the phrase, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” As it turned out, Nike had continuously supported Colin and eventually identified him as a brand ambassador. According to Yahoo NFL reporter Charles Robinson, Nike continues to compensate Colin at a level comparable to that of current prominent NFL players, including millions annually along with royalties from a Kaepernick-branded apparel line.
Personal Life
Since he was ten years old, Kaepernick’s family has owned an African spurred tortoise named Sammy. He was baptized in the Methodist tradition, confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and attended a Baptist church while in college. In late 2015, Kaepernick adopted a vegan diet.
Reports indicate that Kaepernick began dating radio personality and television host Nessa Diab in July 2015, with their relationship being made public in February 2016.
Together, Kaepernick and Nessa established the Know Your Rights Camp, an initiative that conducted free seminars for underprivileged youth, focusing on self-empowerment, American history, and legal rights. In April 2020, the organization initiated a relief fund to aid those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Kaepernick donating $100,000 to support the cause.
In February 2020, Kaepernick launched Kaepernick Publishing. His publishing company, in collaboration with Audible, will produce and release a memoir.
In October 2021, “Colin in Black & White” debuted on Netflix. This six-episode limited series was co-created by Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay, portraying his teenage years.
Real Estate
Kaepernick sold his residence in San Jose, California, for $3.075 million in 2017.
A two-story residence includes four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and offers nearly 4,600 square feet of living area. Among the amenities are a wall aquarium, a full bar, a swimming pool, a spa, and a waterfall feature. In 2014, Kaepernick acquired this home for $2.7 million and subsequently underwent extensive renovations.
In July 2016, Kaepernick bought a luxury two-bedroom condominium in New York City for $3.21 million. This 1,733-square-foot Tribeca apartment reportedly provides 24-hour concierge service, a swimming pool, a private health club, and a garage. In April 2024, Colin listed this apartment for $3.21 million.