The Washington Post is being mocked for describing former NFL quarterback-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick as “the most relevant figure” to the 2026 Super Bowl.
Kaepernick, a former San Francisco 49ers player, went viral in 2016 when he took a knee during the national anthem, saying he wouldn’t stand for a country “that oppresses black people and people of color,” according to NFL Media. While Kaepernick hasn’t fully retired, 2016 marks the last season he has played for the NFL, with the 2026 Super Bowl being played in the 49ers’ home stadium: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Washington Post claimed in a piece published Saturday that while Kaepernick’s act of protest made him “a global symbol,” the former player “might as well be a ghost” as Levi’s Stadium hosts this year’s game. The piece’s publication comes as the 49ers aren’t playing on Sunday, with the 2026 Super Bowl pitting the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots.
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“Is there anyone who thinks Kaepernick is the ‘most relevant’ figure in Super Bowl LX who is not an activist for a corporate media outlet?” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) said on X.
“In which a sports reporter at the Washington Post declares that ‘The most relevant figure to Super Bowl LX is’ … Colin Kaepernick. They cannot fix themselves. They will not fix themselves. They are incorrigible, monomaniacal weirdos,” one social media user said on X.
“Posts like this are why my cats will miss your sports coverage in their litter box,” Fox News host Jimmy Failla said on X.
“It’s clear the Post didn’t lay off nearly enough people,” one social media user said, referring to recent layoffs at the newspaper.
“I’m convinced that if Colin Kaepernick had the talent of Patrick Mahomes, he’d still be playing in the NFL, despite his political views,” another user said. “I’m also convinced that if WaPo didn’t publish woke pieces that try to turn Superbowl Sunday into a political reckoning, they might still have a financially viable newspaper.”
While Kaepernick isn’t playing for the NFL, he has expressed interest in representing the United States for flag football in the 2028 Olympics. He also asked for a spot on the New York Jets practice squad.
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The 2026 Super Bowl begins at 6:30 p.m. and will feature a halftime show performance by Bad Bunny, with Turning Point USA offering an “All-American Halftime Show” as counterprogramming.
President Donald Trump will not attend this year’s game, a change from last year when he was the first sitting president to do so. The president cited Bad Bunny’s performance, as well as the pregame performance by Green Day, as to why he won’t attend.
