Preview: Colin Kaepernick on Before & After with Lester Holt

September 14, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Colin Kaepernick did not plan the exact moment he would take a knee. He had been sitting during the national anthem for two weeks before that, in quiet protest, after talking with a former Green Beret named Nate Boyer. Boyer suggested that kneeling was a more respectful posture than sitting—a gesture of honor toward the military while still drawing attention to police violence against Black Americans. Kaepernick agreed, and on August 26, 2016, he knelt. The image ricocheted around the world. Ten years later, in a preview of his new podcast Before and After, Lester Holt asks Kaepernick what he was hoping to achieve. Kaepernick’s answer is direct: “To collectively move us forward as a society. Very specifically fighting against police killing Black folks, but also looking at systemic oppression holistically.”

The mechanism of the protest

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What you'll learn

1 (00:01) **Preview: Colin Kaepernick on "Before & After"** - Lester Holt introduces a special preview of his new podcast, featuring an interview with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, ten years after his national anthem protest.
2 (00:18) **The Goal of the Protest** - Kaepernick states his aim was to move society forward, specifically fighting police killings of Black people and systemic oppression.
3 (00:52) **The Feeling of Taking a Knee** - Kaepernick describes his mindset during the first protest, thinking about historical sacrifices from figures like Rosa Parks and MLK.
4 (01:43) **Varied Reactions Across Cities** - Kaepernick recounts the starkly different responses he received from different cities.
5 (02:09) **Facing Real Death Threats** - Kaepernick confirms the reality of the threats, including attempts to send bombs to his house.
6 (02:43) **Call to Action: Full Episode** - Lester Holt directs listeners to search for the full episode of "Before and After with Lester Holt" to hear the complete interview.
7 Standout Quotes

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Guests on this episode

Colin Kaepernick Lester Holt

Show Notes

Hey Dateline fans, here’s a special preview of the first episode of our new podcast series, Before & After with Lester Holt.

In this episode, Lester Holt talks to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick about his decision to take a knee during the national anthem and the unexpected consequences that changed his life.

Search Before & After with Lester Holt to listen to the full episode now, completely free. Or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or DatelinePremium.com. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free. swap.fm/l/bapfd

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