Colin Kaepernick
 

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has donated $50,000 to the Mni Wiconi Health Clinic Partnership at Standing Rock, which provides free healthcare to protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline. It is part of his pledge to give $1 million to communities in need. But before you decide to cheer or boo him for this, remember nothing is ever clear-cut with Kaepernick. Consider:

Kaepernick modified the way he initially protested during the national anthem after talking it over with a former Green Beret, which showed a willingness to hear and acknowledge a different perspective.

But when he decided against voting on Election Day because he said both Clinton and Trump were liars and racists, he hurt his own credibility by ignoring candidates and measures elsewhere on the ballot that could have impact on causes he believes in. For those who join Kaepernick in being outspoken against police brutality and for the fair treatment of minorities, sitting out the election was a slap in the face.

Bringing attention to these important issues, though, was enough for Kaepernick to earn the 49ers' most prestigious individual honor, the Len Eshmont Award, for "inspirational and courageous play." It was a decision that former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann ripped during an appearance on Fox News.

"Everybody has the right to express their opinion," Theismann said, "but not in the workplace."

The Eshmont is based on a vote among the 49ers players, so apparently Kaepernick's workplace didn't find this to be a problem.

In addition to his $1 million giving project, Kaepernick also recently donated his massive sneaker collection to Dorothy Day House, a group that helps "Berkeley's homeless and very low-income residents."

From TMZ's report: "He didn't just give them his worn-out crap -- we're talking Air Max, Jordans, Timberlands, etc. Just from eyeballing it ... it appears to be thousands of dollars worth of gear."


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