Colin Kaepernick hasn’t watched NFL games since his exit 10 years ago, informative update.

Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 ignited a highly publicized controversy that left the former NFL quarterback without a team and at odds with the league. Each season brought renewed chatter about a possible return and heated debates over his motives and the larger issues he highlighted. More than a decade after his protest, it’s clear he played a pivotal role in shaping a culture war within sports that has only intensified over time, with many voices weighing in on his legacy.

Despite the ongoing debate, Kaepernick has remained active in public life and is preparing a new memoir set to release on September 15. NBC News conducted an interview with Kaepernick to discuss a wide range of topics in advance of the book’s publication. The interview confirms that he has largely stepped away from professional football, both as a player and in terms of public attention.

“I’m not going to support an organization that, one, is actively blackballing me, and, two, has targeted my fellow protesters,” Kaepernick said, adding, “I watch college football.”

Around the same time, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly stated that he does not believe Kaepernick has been blackballed by the league.

Kaepernick’s upcoming memoir, The Perilous Fight, also sheds light on previously undisclosed details from the day he and 49ers teammate Eric Reid began their Sept. 1, 2016, protest. That day followed a preseason game in which Kaepernick had chosen to remain seated during the national anthem. He later explained to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche that his decision was not aligned with pride for the flag but with a stance against systemic oppression of Black people and people of color. He said, “This is bigger than football, and it would be selfish to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

In the memoir, Kaepernick recounts a conversation with partner Nessa Diab after that interview, reflecting on the intensity of the moment and the strong reactions it provoked. He described a candid exchange about how hard the moment had been, though he indicated he wasn’t fully prepared for the ensuing backlash.

The broader takeaway from the discussions around Kaepernick remains his significant influence on how athletes use their platforms to address social issues. While opinions about his actions continue to vary, the discourse he sparked continues to resonate in sports, culture, and conversations about protest, patriotism, and the responsibilities of public figures.