A-listers have rallied around Colin Kaepernick — including Beyonc├â┬⌐!
On Tuesday evening, the blacklisted quarterback was honored with Sports Illustrated‘s Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. Before the former 49ers star took the stage to give his speech, Queen Bey took a moment to reflect on the important work Colin’s done to combat racial injustice in America.
Related: JAY-Z’s Most Adorable Moments With Beyonc├â┬⌐!
While Daily Show host Trevor Noah was the one who introduced Kaepernick, it was JAY-Z‘s wife who handed him the prestigious trophy. What an honor! After saying she was “proud and humbled” to present the award, the Hold Up singer added:
“Colin took action with no fear of consequence or repercussion, only hope to change the world for the better. To change perception, to change the way we treat each other, especially people of color.”
Beyoncé makes a surprise appearance at the Sports Illustrated Person of the Year event to present @Kaepernick7 with the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. pic.twitter.com/87y4exrtes
— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@Bey_Legion) December 6, 2017
Well said. In case you forgot, the football stud sparked national debate last year when he began kneeling during the national anthem in an attempt to protest racial inequality and police brutality in the U.S. Although many have voiced their support for Colin, the American athlete has been met with quite a bit of criticism too.
Kaepernick has even been put on blast by Donald Trump. Sadly, the backlash from Colin’s just protest has resulted in him being left a free agent in the NFL.
Regardless, Kaepernick is nowhere near done fighting the good fight. During his inspiring acceptance speech, the seasoned athlete vowed to continue his activism work — whether he returns to the NFL or not. Kaepernick noted:
“I say this as a person who receives credit for using my platform to protest systemic oppression, racialized injustice and and the dire consequences of anti-blackness in America… I accept this award not for myself, but on behalf of the people. Because if it were not for my love of the people, I would not have protested. And if it was not for the support from the people, I would not be on this stage today.
With our without the NFL’s platform, I will continue to work for the people because my platform is the people.”
‘With or without the NFL├óΓé¼Γäós platform, I will continue to work for the people’@Kaepernick7 receives SI’s Muhammad Ali Legacy award #Sportsperson https://t.co/3wqaUVYZnf pic.twitter.com/dKJNX0d8vi
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 6, 2017
We’re not crying, YOU ARE. Be sure to ch-ch-check out Colin’s FULL speech when the ceremony is televised on Friday night at 8 p.m. on the NBC Sports Network.
[Image via Sports Illustrated/Twitter.]
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