Colin Kaepernick makes powerful statement at Met Gala 9 years after he 'took the knee'

The has become known as the ultimate red carpet for celebs to show off designer outfits. However, it’s world-renowned civil rights activist and former American football star attendance that has caused the biggest stir.

As the pioneer of the 'Take the Knee' movement against racial injustice, his appearance has made a bold statement against the current US administration and ICE's crackdown on illegal immigration, which has been accused of racial profiling by the

The 2025 Met Gala was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with the theme 'Superfine: Celebrating Black Tailoring Black Style'. Colin showed up sporting a statement maroon chequered suit designed by Ozwald Boateng in his own interpretation of Black fashion and dandyism.

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"I think about the theme in relation to this moment and how powerful it is to bring the idea of “Tailoring Black Style” to a moment where we see a lot of pressure and targeting of Black communities,” Colin told before the event.

But, more than fashion, his presence at the event has served as a massive political statement to fans. The star once led the baseball team San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013. However, he hasn’t played in the league since 2016 – after he knelt during the US national anthem.

Colin began sitting out during the national anthem in 2016 as a protest against racial injustice and police brutality against African Americans in the US. He later transitioned to kneeling, which formed what would transform into a national act of resistance: ‘taking the knee.’

He said after the NFL game in 2016: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of colour. To me, this is bigger than football.” As the 2016 season continued, more NFL players emulated his actions as a form of protest.

The movement gained traction and quickly came to dominate worldwide headlines. On October 3, Colin was featured on the cover of Time magazine, which credited him with prompting a national debate “about privilege, pride, and patriotism.”

However, after the 2016 season ended, no team would sign Colin, likely due to the controversy surrounding him. The protests prompted widespread criticism from US politicians – including current president .

In 2017, Trump launched a vicious attack on NFL players, at a rally for a Republican senator in Alabama. He was recorded saying: “Get that son of a b---h off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!”

Donald’s incendiary comments went on to inspire one of the league’s largest protests. On September, 2017, over 200 NFL players kneeled or sat during the national anthem in direct response to his calls for NFL players who took the knee to be fired.

The 37-year-old former player surprised fans when he strolled out onto the Met Gala red carpet with his long time girlfriend Nessa Diab. The pair had welcomed their first child in 2022, but have made few major public appearances as a couple since.

Speaking to Vogue before the event, he said: “This might be our first official time stepping out like this, and also just being parents.”

Despite not playing since 2016, Colin has remained vocal about wanting to return to the game. Nessa revealed to earlier this year that he still trains everyday, adding: “Nothing has changed. It’s all up to the teams if they’ll let him play.”

In the meantime, Colin has made spreading social activism his main focus. In 2020, he launched the “Know Your Rights” campaign with Nessa, which went directly towards providing marginalised communities with necessary supplies during the Covid pandemic.

He also founded Kaepernick Publishing in 2019. The publishing company is aimed towards uplifting marginalised voices and allowing "black and brown writers to control their narratives and retain ownership." They have since published works like 'The Bridges Yuri Built: How Yuri Kochiyama Marched Across Movements' a biography by Kai Naima Williams. It details the life of 20th century Japanese American civil rights activist Yuri Kochiyama.