Beyoncé Makes Surprise Appearance To Present Colin Kaepernick With Sports Illustrated Award
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick received the surprise of a lifetime.
Beyoncé made a special appearance at Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year Awards and praised Kaepernick for speaking out against police brutality that ultimately sidelined his NFL career.
"Colin took action with no fear of consequence or repercussion only hope to change the world for the better," said Beyoncé. "To change perception, to change the way we treat each other, especially people of color."
Kaepernick's Influence Spreads
Before Kaepernick received the 2017 Muhammad Ali Legacy Award from the "Formation" singer, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback was coming off a turbulent year. The former NFL player did not play on the field this year, as many National Football League owners and teams did not pick up his contract. Even though Kaepernick was missing in action, other athletes from different sports took up his cause and kneeled during "The Star-Spangled Banner."
As Kaepernick took the stage and received the award from Beyoncé, the football player accepted the prize for the people who have stood by him and added that he would continue to protest radicalized injustice and anti-black platforms in the United States.
"With or without the NFL's platform," said Kaepernick. "I will continue to work for the people because my platform is the people."
Recently, Time Magazine took notice of Kaepernick and was the only athlete to be short-listed to be a candidate for their Person of the Year. While Kaepernick did not receive the honor, the magazine named him a runner-up along with President Trump and Patty Jenkins.
Beyoncé's Big 2017
Sports Illustrated could not have picked a perfect star to give Kaepernick the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award than the "Daddy Lessons" singer. Beyoncé had the internet buzzing when she gave birth to her twins and revealed their names, Rumi and Sir, through trademark requests.
In addition, Disney announced that Beyoncé would voice Nala in their upcoming 2019 live adaptation of The Lion King. She also recorded new collaborations with an all-star group of recording artists. Beyoncé teamed up with her husband Jay-Z and friend DJ Khaled (Shining) and Eminem (Walk on Water). She also appeared on remixes of Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" and J. Balvin and Willy William's "Mi Gente."
We will keep an eye on both Kaepernick and Beyoncé in 2018.
