Colin Kaepernick will be honored with the Muhammad Ali Center's Humanitarian of the Year Award later this year for his advocacy against racial injustice and his support for underserved communities through initiatives like the Know Your Rights Camp.

Lonnie Ali, co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, stated that Kaepernick has "used his platform to advocate for equality, human dignity, and social change, even when doing so came at significant personal and professional cost." The center recognized Kaepernick for his philanthropic efforts and his commitment to social change.

However, the decision has drawn criticism. Some argue that Kaepernick's activism and sacrifices are not comparable to those of Muhammad Ali, who famously risked his freedom and boxing career by refusing military induction during the Vietnam War. Ali faced significant professional and personal consequences, including the loss of his heavyweight title and a ban from boxing for over three years, leading to his conviction for draft evasion.

Critics also contend that the narrative of Kaepernick sacrificing a thriving NFL career is misleading. They point to his performance in his final seasons, noting he had been benched and his statistics indicated he was becoming "unplayable." The argument is made that his national anthem protests were not met with widespread condemnation within sports media and pop culture, and that Nike's prominent advertising campaign featuring him, along with the financial rewards from his protest, contradict the notion of significant personal sacrifice.

Kaepernick and his supporters claim he was "blackballed" by the NFL. However, critics suggest that no team desired a quarterback of his caliber who was also associated with divisive political stances. They argue that other players who protested during the anthem retained their positions because their on-field performance warranted it, a criterion they claim Kaepernick did not meet.

Furthermore, Kaepernick has been described as an "inflammatory figure" for remarks such as denouncing July 4th as a racist celebration and comparing the NFL's treatment of players to slavery. The criticism extends to the Muhammad Ali Center itself, with some suggesting the award's prestige has diminished, citing its 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Kaepernick is expected to use the award to promote his upcoming book, "The Perilous Fight."