Colin Kaepernick to receive medal from Harvard
Colin Kaepernick is among eight people announced to be honored by Harvard University next month.
The former NFL quarterback, activist, and Nike spokesperson will be awarded the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal, which is described as “Harvard’s highest honor in the field of African and African American studies.”
The 2018 Hutchins Center Honors
Ceremony: 10/11 at 4pm @Harvard. Free tickets available to Harvard ID holders via lottery – https://t.co/XOow5ohlbY
A limited number of free tickets will be made available to the public on 10/9 via the Harvard Box Office – https://t.co/UUHYwkItzo pic.twitter.com/JT2XIAhheE
— Hutchins Center (@HutchinsCenter) September 20, 2018
CBS Boston obtained a statement from the Hutchins Center.
“The medal honors those who have made significant contributions to African and African American history and culture, and more broadly, individuals who advocate for intercultural understanding and human rights in an increasingly global and interconnected world,” the university said in the statement.
Another notable name joining Kaepernick in accepting this year’s award is comedian Dave Chappelle.
Kaepernick hasn’t played an NFL game since 2016. That season he began kneeling during the playing of the national anthem before games in protest of police brutality disproportionally affecting African Americans throughout the country. President Donald Trump and his followers incorrectly label the protest as an affront to the United States flag.
Earlier this year sports apparel giant Nike announced Kaepernick as the face of its revamped “Just Do It” campaign. Check out the ad below.