- Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones angers Cowboys fans as Dallas runs the risk of losing CeeDee Lamb
- Los Angeles Chargers. Jim Harbaugh breaks down Colin Kaepernick's dream of returning to the NFL and leaves fans with questions
Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback and prominent social activist, has earned a net worth of approximately $20 million.
His financial standing is a testament to both his successful football career and strategic endorsements.
Kaepernick's salary in the NFL
During his NFL career, which spanned from 2011 to 2016 with the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick earned a substantial sum.
Over these six seasons, he accumulated more than $43 million in salary alone.
His peak earning year was 2016 when he took home $14.3 million.
His most notable contract came in 2014, when he signed a seven-year extension worth up to $126 million, including a $12.3 million g bonus.
Despite his impactful tenure, Kaepernick did not see out this contract due to his decision to opt out in March 2017, resulting in him earning $39 million from this record-setting deal.
In addition to his NFL salary, Kaepernick's financial portfolio is significantly bolstered by his endorsement deal with Nike.
Originally signed in 2011, his relationship with Nike became highly visible in 2018 when the brand featured him in a major ad campaign celebrating the 30th anniversary of "Just Do It."
This endorsement deal, reportedly on par with top NFL stars, includes millions in annual payments and royalties from a Kaepernick-branded apparel line, underscoring Nike's continued despite his absence from professional football.
Kaepernick also benefited from a settlement with the NFL, stemming from his 2017 grievance alleging that league owners conspired to keep him out of the NFL due to his protests against racial injustice.
While the exact amount of the settlement remains undisclosed, estimates suggest it was in the range of $10 million.
Beyond his athletic and endorsement earnings, Kaepernick has invested in social activism.
In 2016, he co-founded the "Know Your Rights Camp," an organization aimed at educating disadvantaged youth about their rights and self-empowerment.
This initiative, particularly its COVID-19 relief fund, has seen him contribute over $1.75 million to affected communities.