How Much Did Colin Kaepernick Get From The Nfl

So, picture this: I’m at a backyard barbecue, and my cousin—who only watches football during the Super Bowl and when his fantasy team is losing—squints at me over a hot dog and asks, “Hey, how much did Colin Kaepernick get from the NFL again? Like, billions, right?” I nearly choked on my soda. That moment sums up the wild, tangled myth that’s been floating around for years.

The short answer? Colin Kaepernick didn’t get a billion dollars from the NFL. Or a hundred million. Or even a cool ten mil. The actual settlement from his 2017 collusion grievance against the league is a secret—yes, a big, legal, ironclad secret. But let’s unpack the story, because the truth is way more interesting than the rumor.

The Spark: Why We Even Care

You remember, right? Back in 2016, Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice. The NFL, in classic “let’s pretend this isn’t happening” fashion, basically blacklisted him. By 2017, he couldn’t get a job—even though he was a quarterback who’d led his team to the Super Bowl just a few years earlier.

So he sued the league, claiming the owners colluded to keep him out. That’s a big deal in sports law. And in February 2019, after three years of legal drama, the NFL and Kaepernick suddenly announced a settlement. But here’s the kicker: they didn’t disclose the amount. And that’s where the wild speculation went into overdrive.

The Rumor Mill: How “Billions” Became a Meme

I swear, every year there’s a viral tweet that goes, “Colin Kaepernick is still getting paid by the NFL—this is the amount…” and it’s always something like $40 million or $75 million. But the real number? Leaked reports and insider chatter suggest it was likely between $5 million and $15 million. Not chicken feed, but nowhere near “retire to Mars” money.

Why so low? Because Kaepernick’s legal team had a tough hill to climb. Proving collusion in a league where owners do shady backroom deals is like proving water is wet. Plus, Kaepernick’s own performance had dipped slightly before the protest. So the settlement was more about sending a message than a payout.

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The Elephant in the Room: The “Other” Settlement

Oh, and here’s a twist you’ll love: Kaepernick wasn’t the only one who sued. His teammate, Eric Reid, who kneeled alongside him, also settled his collusion case in the same 2019 deal. Word is Reid got a chunk too, likely in the low millions. So the total payout from the league was split between them. But still—no numbers on paper.

Let’s be real: the NFL’s biggest cost wasn’t the money. It was the reputation hit. They settled to avoid a trial where owners would have to testify under oath. Imagine Roger Goodell sweating under hot lights. That alone probably made the $10 million feel like a bargain.

So, How Much Did He Actually Get?

Here’s the brutal honesty: we can’t know for sure because the agreement is sealed tighter than a jar of pickles from your grandma’s pantry. But financial analysts who’ve seen behind the curtain estimate it was around $10 million, split between Kaepernick and Reid. Tax-free? Nope. After legal fees (his lawyers, Mark Geragos, don’t work for free) and taxes, Kaepernick likely walked away with $5 to $7 million.

Still, that’s life-changing money for you and me. But for an NFL star who could’ve earned $100 million in career earnings? That’s a massive discount on his potential. And that’s the real sting.

why did colin kaepernick leave the nfl by jason bolton february 16 2024

What He Does With It Now

Since the settlement, Kaepernick hasn’t exactly been quiet or broke. He’s got a Netflix deal, a clothing line, and a publishing imprint. Plus, he’s been training like a madman, maybe hoping for a comeback. (Spoiler: the NFL still treats him like a ghost.) But the end of his playing career wasn’t really about the money—it was about the principle.

Let’s be honest: the NFL could have paid him $50 million and it wouldn’t have changed the narrative. The protest was never a bargaining chip. It was a moral stance that cost him the prime years of his athletic life. And the league’s silence on the amount—along with its recent push for social justice ads—feels a lot like damage control with a side of irony.

What We Learned From This

Next time my cousin asks me at a barbecue, I’ll say: “About the price of a nice house in L.A., not the price of a franchise.” But more importantly, I’ll tell him this: Kaepernick got a check, but the NFL got a lesson. And the real cost—the loss of a talented quarterback’s career—can never be settled in court.

So, did you think it was more? Less? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The mystery is part of the charm—or the farce, depending on who you ask. But one thing’s for sure: when it comes to Colin Kaepernick and the NFL, the numbers are just the cover story. The true story is written in unpaid salaries and unwritten history.