The Kaepernick Effect

"With The Kaepernick Effect Dave Zirin has offered us a gift: a powerful chronicle of the national uprising inspired by the Movement for Black Lives in the world of sport. This will be the go-to text on athlete activism for years to come."

—Frank Andre Guridy, author of The Sports Revolution: How Texas Changed the Culture of American Athletics

"In this captivating book, Zirin puts into sharp relief the activist potential of young athletes, and how they can serve as dismantlers of intersectional oppression."

—Kimberlé Crenshaw, co-founder and executive director, African American Policy Forum

"Sharp and illuminating and a joy to read, Zirin’s analysis of events is unparalleled for its clarity and force. This book has been missing from our understanding of the current political moment; Zirin has filled the void."

—Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, author From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation

"Dave Zirin . . . allows those influenced by Colin Kaepernick to explain why America wasn’t ready for him—but needed him to show how far we are from where we should want to be as a nation."

—Michael Lee, sports enterprise writer, The Washington Post

"An enthralling look at the impact of peaceful protest by sports figures at the high school, college, and professional levels . . . offers rousing evidence of the life-changing effects spurred by individual action."

—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A powerful testimonial. Lessons in civic courage leap from every page as we see these amazing athletes risk everything to change this country and help set the stage for the racial reckoning we now face. Read this book and be inspired to fight for a new America!"

—Eddie S. Glaude Jr., author of Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own

"The Kaepernick Effect stands alone in capturing the true impact of the former quarterback’s peaceful protest, which was to inspire a generation. Zirin’s interviews with athletes of all ages are meticulous and fascinating, cementing Kaepernick’s status as one of the most significant athletes in American history."

—Mina Kimes, ESPN

"How many Black people have to die at the hands of racist cops before white America listens to those voices? The Kaepernick Effect needs to be read by those who continue to deny racism and police brutality."

—Chris Lamb, co-author of Sports Journalism: A History of Glory, Fame, and Technology

"Dave Zirin hits the bulls-eye with this textured examination of the man behind the movement and the movement inspired by the man."

—Sekou Smith, NBA TV/NBA.com senior analyst

"The Kaepernick Effect reveals that Colin Kaepernick’s story is bigger than one athlete. With profiles of courage that leap off the page, Zirin uncovers a whole national movement of citizen-athletes fighting for racial justice."

—Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award–winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist