Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick received an honorary degree from Morgan State University.
Kaepernick, now 34, has been out of the NFL for six years following his demonstration, kneeling while the national anthem played.
“The Super Bowl quarterback was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters for his continuing work against the systemic oppression of Black and Brown people,” according to the university’s commencement statement.
The Baltimore HBCU shared the announcement on Twitter.
“[You] can pry open the possible and break down barriers toward our shared liberation,” Morgan State 2022 honorary degree recipient Colin Kaepernick inspired our grads through his words. ? #MorganGrad2k22
Listen to the full message and read more. ? https://t.co/7yOu0uBpN0 pic.twitter.com/vt9mbJCwu3
— Morgan State University (@MorganStateU) May 25, 2022
Kaepernick did not attend the event in person but shared a video message with the graduates.
“As I was sifting through Morgan State’s archives in preparation for these remarks, one theme that came up time and again was Morgan State’s transcendent belief in the power of service to others. The transcendent belief that in the service of others, we can elevate our entire community…the transcendent belief that you, the 2022 graduates of Morgan State University, can pry open the possible and break down barriers toward our shared liberation.”
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Earlier this year, Sis2Sis reported Kaepernick’s founding of a program called Autopsy Initiative to help families whose loved ones have died from police-related deaths conduct a second autopsy at no cost with full access to findings in the report.
“The Initiative seeks to be a resource to victims’ family members by providing confidence in the forensic procedures and comfort in knowing the pathologists will conduct the autopsy with neutrality,” Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp wrote.
Kaepernick said in a statement, “We know that the prison industrial complex, which includes police and policing, strives to protect and serve its interests at all costs. The Autopsy Initiative is one important step toward ensuring that family members have access to accurate and forensically verifiable information about the cause of death of their loved one in their time of need.”
Congratulations to Kaepernick for all of his achievements in the name of social justice!
