In 2018, two Miami Dolphins players, Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson, knelt during their game against the Tennessee Titans, a significant moment during the final months of the protest sparked by Colin Kaepernick two years prior. Stills and Wilson’s actions were particularly courageous given the dwindling number of players still engaging in protests.

Stills emerged as a quiet yet influential figure during that period. In an interview I conducted with him for a book focused on the movement, he expressed the necessity of addressing police violence against marginalized communities.

“I believed that if I remained silent, I wouldn’t be able to face myself,” he remarked. “I didn’t want to look back and think, ‘You could have taken action, but you didn’t. You were a coward.'”

It’s sometimes challenging to recall that period, as it feels like a hazy memory. Many aspects have been misrepresented or conveniently forgotten by those with negative agendas. In simple terms, Kaepernick leveraged his status as an NFL quarterback to shine a spotlight on police brutality targeting people of color. His courageous stance ultimately cost him his career, as he has not played in the NFL since. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder by a police officer, the NFL was compelled to apologize for its treatment of Kaepernick and other players who protested.

Fast-forward to the present, and the irony is striking. Kaepernick took a stand against police brutality, and now one of the NFL’s prominent players, Tyreek Hill, was recently detained by police, who, according to video evidence, misused their authority, right outside an NFL stadium on a Sunday—a stadium where protests against police violence had occurred.

The resonances of Kaepernick are apparent in Hill’s detainment.

It’s clear that Kaepernick was correct in his stance, but the situation with Hill underscores this reality even more. It’s hard to imagine a script where a player protests against police misconduct, only for another NFL player later to be caught on video being mistreated. Such a storyline would seem implausible.

However, this was precisely Kaepernick’s assertion—that such instances of excessive police force are far too common. He wasn’t the first to highlight this issue; countless Black Americans have done so, including several athletes. The WNBA raised these concerns before Kaepernick took action. He simply became one of the most recognized figures to spotlight the problem.

Reflecting on Kaepernick’s initial statements following his protest reveals their enduring significance.

“I refuse to stand for a flag that represents a nation that oppresses Black individuals and other people of color,” Kaepernick expressed. “This issue goes beyond football, and I would be selfish to ignore it. Lives are lost, and perpetrators receive paid leave while evading justice.”

“I’m not doing this for anyone’s approval,” he added. “I must advocate for those who are oppressed. If they remove football from my life or take away my endorsements, I will stand firm for what is right.”

Stills would continue to lead an impactful life, openly criticizing Dolphins owner Stephen Ross for his contradictory stance of seeking equality while supporting Donald Trump.

“It’s vital to recognize that people can hold differing opinions and still progress together,” Stills stated in 2019. “Much of what I’ve discussed centers around fundamental human decency, respect, and genuine concern for others, while drawing a firm line against hate and violence. That’s where I stand, and I hope others will join me.”

In 2020, Stills took part in protests regarding the police killing of Breonna Taylor. His actions exemplified a meaningful stand against injustice.

Kaepernick may no longer be physically present in the NFL, but in many respects, his influence persists.