GQ Lists Colin Kaepernick As 2017’s “Citizen Of The Year”

blogged by @baetoven_

GQ has named former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick its 2017 Citizen of the Year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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Kaepernick, whose protests of racism and police brutality caused national outrage, remains unemployed after opting out of his contract with the 49ers earlier this year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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“Colin also made it clear to us that he intended to remain silent,“ the feature reads. ”As his public identity has begun to shift from football star to embattled activist, he has grown wise to the power of his silence. It has helped his story go around the world. It has even provoked the ire and ill temper of Donald Trump.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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Though Kaepernick did not interview with the magazine, other figures expressed their gratitude for him. Activist Harry Belafonte said seeing people like Kaepernick was “the greatest reward” he could ask for. Rapper J.Cole added that he didn’t know “the person with the biggest balls in sports would be him.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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The ex-football star expressed his appreciation for the feature on Twitter, saying he was “honored to be recognized by @GQMagazine.”