Civil rights activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has a multibook deal with publisher Scholastic, with the first project coming next April.
Kaepernick Publishing announced the partnership with Scholastic on its website. The first book to be published in the deal will be a children’s picture book called I Color Myself Different, which Scholastic describes as “an inspiring, empowering true story of young Colin’s journey of self-discovery that will inspire all young readers to be true to themselves and embrace who they are...and how they can make their world a better, more equitable place.”
Kaepernick played six seasons as quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and sparked a controversy by kneeling during the national anthem before a game in protest of police brutality. He became a free agent after that season but wasn’t picked up by any team, which he and many others believe was a result of his protest. Since then, he has been a vocal advocate for civil rights for people of color.
He founded Kaepernick Publishing in 2020 and plans to release a memoir through the company.
“This story is deeply personal to me, and inspired by real events in my life,” Kaepernick said of his children’s book. “I hope that it honors the courage and bravery of young people everywhere by encouraging them to live with authenticity and purpose.”
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
