The Smithsonian Museum of African American History has announced the addition of Colin Kaepernick’s artifacts to the Black Lives Matter exhibit. One of Kaepernick’s artifacts — a bench — is the butt of jokes on Twitter.com (pun intended).
The unemployed free agent quarterback is unofficially blacklisted by the NFL for his act of defiance during the pregame national anthem last year.
Kaepernick started off by sitting on a bench while his San Francisco 49ers teammates stood during the national anthem.
After furious public backlash — and a private meeting with his head coach — Kaepernick got off the bench and took a knee during the national anthem.
His actions — which many deemed to be self-serving — resulted in a loss of television viewers and advertising dollars.
Kaepernick waived a contract option from the 49ers at the end of the 2016 season. No other team has offered him a contract.
The Seattle Seahawks showed interest in Kaepernick as a second backup for Russell Wilson’s back up quarterback. But the team passed on him.
A few black players, including Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch, are also protesting the national anthem during the 2017 preseason.
Twitter.com reacted to the news that Kaepernick’s bench was among the items on display at the Smithsonian.
Many were dismayed that Kaepernick, who is biracial, was added to the Smithsonian Museum of African American History before Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who is black.
But he's in the Smithsonian and Justice Thomas is not. WTF #MAGA #TCOT #PJNet
— ?? ggg217 (@ggg217) August 20, 2017
Kaepernick gets featured in black history Smithsonian museum before Clarence Thomas https://t.co/99AlFWz2Cw via @BIZPACReview
— ?Ophidian Pilot? (@ophidianpilot) August 20, 2017
What an insult to the legitimate honorees.
— RobW (@RobW_TN) August 19, 2017
Because it takes a special guy to lead your team to the bottom?
— Mark Simonelli (@marksimonelli) August 19, 2017
Still waiting for news on the Clarence Thomas exhibit in said museum.
— Kevin Barnard (@KevyB1990) August 20, 2017
Artifacts? A piece of grass where he placed his knee? Or the bench he rode?
— missamerica2017 (@missamerica2017) August 20, 2017
That speaks highly for the "important" artifacts that must be inside that museum, whats next the gun that shot the Dallas cops?
— Ed Bernas (@hazmat50213) August 20, 2017
I never knew so many white ppl cared about what goes in African American Museum? Only if they cared about Police Brutality
— KelvinX (@1_and_only_grip) August 19, 2017
Unbelievable!!! Good reason not to visit the Smithsonian! Sad
— Kim Ferguson (@CanChaserFergie) August 20, 2017
Doesn't the Smithsonian have anything better to display than Worthless garbage from a 3rd rate QB?
— Matt M (@MattMac1776) August 20, 2017
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
