The story of Colin Kaepernick’s high school years is headed to Netflix.
Monday, Netflix announced it is producing a six-episode series based on Kaepernick’s adolescent life that “provides an introspective look at Kaepernick’s early life as a Black child growing up with a white adopted family and his journey to become a great quarterback while defining his identity.”
Kaepernick worked with Emmy Award winner Ava DuVernay and Emmy Award nominee Michael Starrbury on the series, which was conceived last year and finished in May, according to a press release.
DuVernay and Starrbury worked together on the Netflix miniseries “When They See Us,” which told the story of the Central Park Five.
Kaepernick’s series, titled “Colin in Black & White,” will focus on the formative moments of Kaepernick’s life that led to him the place he currently occupies in American culture.
“Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens,” Kaepernick said in a press release. “We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that Black people face. We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted Black man in a white community, during my high school years. It’s an honor to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see.”
Kaepernick famously began the #TakeAKnee movement in 2016, when he kneeled during the national anthem as a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers to call attention to the issues of racial inequality. The demonstrations made him the target of critics who thought kneeling during the anthem was intended to be disrespectful toward the flag and troops. (In fact, it was a former Green Beret who advised Kaepernick to kneel instead of remaining seated during the protests.)
The #TakeAKnee movement attracted renewed support in May after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer forcibly placed his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
After opting out of his contract with the 49ers in 2017, Kaepernick has not played in an NFL game in almost four years.
"With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally," said DuVernay in a statement. "Colin's story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn't be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix."
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| San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick passes against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)AP |
"Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens," Kaepernick said. "We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that Black people face. We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted Black man in a white community, during my high school years. It's an honor to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see."
"We're proud to bring Colin's experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world," said Cindy Holland, vice president of original content for Netflix. "It is an unparalleled union of two strong and defining voices coming together to tell the story about what it's like to be Black in America."
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