Colin Kaepernick Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Discover Colin Kaepernick’s fortune and Earnings in Career

Colin Kaepernick, the American football player, and social activist boasts a net worth of $20 million. Throughout his NFL tenure from 2011 to 2016 spanning six seasons, Colin amassed slightly over $43 million in earnings (pre-tax and fees). His highest NFL salary peaked at $14.3 million during the 2016 season. Kaepernick is recognized for his political and civil rights activism, notably for kneeling during the national anthem at NFL games to protest police brutality and racial inequality in the United States.

Background and Early Life

Colin Rand Kaepernick was born on November 3, 1987, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Initially put up for adoption by his birth mother, Colin found a home with Rick and Teresa Kaepernick, becoming the third child in the family. The Kaepernicks, who had previously lost two sons to heart defects, decided to adopt Colin after already having a son, Kyle, and daughter, Devon. The family later relocated from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to California when Colin was four years old. Excelling as a 4.0 GPA student-athlete at John H. Pitman High School in Turlock, California, Kaepernick’s primary focus was initially on baseball, receiving numerous college scholarship offers for the sport. Nevertheless, his passion for football led him to choose the University of Nevada instead. In college, he gained acclaim as one of the top quarterbacks nationwide, receiving multiple accolades and setting several records, including being named the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Offensive Player of the Year twice. Kaepernick also made history in NCAA Division I FBS as the lone player to achieve both 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in his collegiate career.

NFL Journey

Having been drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2009 but opting to pursue football, Kaepernick was eventually picked by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Initially serving as a backup quarterback, his standout performances in the 2012 season propelled the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII, where they faced defeat against the Baltimore Ravens with a score of 31-34. In subsequent seasons, Colin led the 49ers to the NFC Championship game in 2013, culminating in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

In a notable event during the 49ers’ third preseason game in 2016, Kaepernick opted to sit during the U.S. national anthem, sparking controversy with his protest against racial injustice, police brutality, and systemic oppression in the United States. This action escalated in subsequent games, with Kaepernick choosing to kneel during the anthem. The protests elicited strong reactions both in support and opposition, with the situation intensifying in September 2017 following remarks by President Donald Trump advocating for the dismissal of players protesting during the national anthem.

Subsequent to the 2016 season, Kaepernick became a free agent without any teams signing him. Despite a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2022, he remains unattached to any NFL team.

Landmark Contract

In June 2014, Colin secured a seven-year extension deal with the 49ers, envisioning potential earnings of up to $126 million with $61 million in guarantees. The agreement included a $12.3 million signing bonus and a $640,000 salary for the imminent season. Notably, the $13 million represented the sole fully guaranteed portion of the contract, with the $61 million guaranteeing contingent on a career-ending injury to Kaepernick. This contract stood as a record-setting deal at the time.

AccordingColin’s base salary would decrease by $2 million each year if he wasn’t named to the first or second All-Pro team or if the 49ers didn’t play in the Super Bowl in the previous season (with Colin taking at least 80% of the snaps). This led to his $12.4 million base salary at the start of the 2015 season being reduced to $10.4 million.

Upon learning of the 49ers’ plan to release him in March 2017, Kaepernick chose to opt out of his contract to become a free agent. Consequently, he ultimately earned $39 million from his groundbreaking $126 million deal.

NFL Lawsuit And Settlement

Colin launched a grievance against the NFL in 2017, accusing the league and owners of colluding to prevent him from playing due to his kneeling during the National Anthem. The lawsuit was privately settled in February 2019 for an undisclosed sum. Initially rumored to be between $60 to $80 million, it was later suggested that the actual settlement amount was likely around $10 million.

Nike Contract

Colin inked his initial Nike endorsement deal in 2011. There were assumptions that Nike didn’t renew the contract when Colin remained teamless post-2017. However, in 2018, Nike launched an ad campaign marking the 30th anniversary of their “Just Do It” campaign, featuring Kaepernick with the slogan, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” It was revealed that Nike had been supporting Colin throughout and eventually made him a brand ambassador. According to Yahoo NFL reporter Charles Robinson, Nike continues to pay Colin a substantial contract comparable to top NFL athletes, including royalties on a Kaepernick-branded apparel line.

Personal Life

Colin’s family has owned a pet African spurred tortoise named Sammy since he was ten. He was baptized Methodist, confirmed Lutheran, and attended a Baptist church during college. Colin adopted a vegan diet in late 2015.

Reports indicate that Kaepernick began dating radio host and TV personality Nessa Diab in July 2015, publicly confirming the relationship in February 2016.

Kaepernick and Nessa established the Know Your Rights Camp, a nonprofit conducting free workshops for underprivileged youth, covering self-empowerment, American history, and legal rights. In April 2020, the camp launched a relief fund for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Kaepernick contributing $100,000.

In February 2020, Kaepernick founded Kaepernick Publishing, set to release a memoir through the company and Audible.

“Colin in Black & White,” a Netflix series covering Colin’s teenage years, premiered in October 2021. Co-created by Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay, the six-episode limited series delves into his formative years.

Real Estate

Colin Kaepernick’s San Jose, California home was sold for $3.075 million in 2017. This two-story house boasts four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and nearly 4,600 square feet of living space. It features amenities such as a wall aquarium, a full bar, a pool, a spa, and a waterfall feature. Kaepernick purchased the house in 2014 for $2.7 million and underwent a significant renovation.

In July 2016, Kaepernick acquired a two-bedroom luxury condo in New York City for $3.21 million. The 1,733-square-foot Tribeca apartment reportedly includes 24-hour concierge service, a swimming pool, a private health club, and a garage. Colin listed this apartment for sale in April 2024 for the same price.