Even a public plea from LeBron James hasn’t seen NFL officials apologize to Colin Kaepernick. But the former star quarterback – who famously knelt during the national anthem at a game in silent protest against police brutality in black America – now has a new deal.
Kaepernick has officially teamed up with 13th and When They See Us director Ava DuVernay to produce a limited series about his teen years on Netflix. The duo are reportedly long-time friends and will collaborate on a scripted six-part series called Colin in Black & White.
“With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally,” said DuVernay in a statement a couple of hours ago. “Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix.”
He would grow up to play in the Super Bowl and realize you never stop fighting for your dreams.
She would grow up to tell stories that matter to millions.
From @Kaepernick7 & @ava, the dramatic scripted series Colin In Black & White follows the H.S. years of Colin Kaepernick. pic.twitter.com/eb75RkuW2H
— Netflix (@netflix) June 29, 2020
The series will hunker down on Kaepernick’s upbringing, from being adopted into a white family to his introductions into football, basketball and baseball in Turlock, California. When They See Us writer Michael Starrbury has penned the script which says to focus on the influences and circumstances that shaped the man Kaepernick became.
“I’ve long been fascinated by how people become who they are,” DuVernay wrote on an Instagram post announcing the news. “The steps we all take to get to ourselves. When it comes to @kaepernick7, those steps track the making of a singular American icon. This series is the origin story of a hero.”
“Too often we see race and black stories portrayed through a white lens,” said Kaepernick in a statement. “We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that black people face. We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted black man in a white community, during my high school years. It’s an honor to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see.”
While scripts were completed just last month, the former San Francisco 49ers star says it’s been a project he’s working on for a year. There’s actually no word on whether DuVernay will direct the series but it’s highly likely.
More to come.
