Life
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has received near-constant media coverage ever since President Donald Trump said the proper response to a player kneeling during the national anthem is to "get that son of a b*tch off the field." The NFL kneeling protest, started by Kaepernick in 2016, was intended as a statement against police brutality in the U.S., but dozens of players have taken a knee in solidarity since Trump began speaking out on the matter. With so much controversy surrounding Kaepernick and his form of protest, it's not surprising that there's a bit of a divide about the athlete, but plenty of people see him as a trailblazer, and he has been called a hero for his efforts. Some parents chose to honor that legacy by dressing their kids up in Colin Kaepernick costumes for Halloween, and it happens to be the cutest thing on this planet.
Of course, unsurprisingly, not everyone chose to respectfully pay homage to Kaepernick this past weekend. As was seen on social media, there were numerous reports of people using Kaepernick's likeness in an offensive way over Halloween weekend that have quickly gone viral. This is, sadly, not surprising after the President repeatedly sent out defamatory tweets about the former QB turned social activist over the past few weeks, but these disappointing costumes notwithstanding, it's important to turn our eyes to the good in the world — in the form of adorable kids wearing Kaepernick costumes. These costumes are a reminder that Halloween can be a time to respectfully pay homage to personal heroes and icons, rather than dress up just for the sake of sparking controversy.
An Adorable #IStandWithKap Costume
Not only did this child completely nail the 49ers look, but the nod to the #IStandWithKap movement is so important. Don't get me started on the fake beard, either. The accuracy got me shook.
A Smirking Kaepernick Who Is Too Cute For Words
This is proof you don't have to spend a ton of money to make a costume amazing. This homemade jersey makes the costume even better, especially when you pair it with this kid's adorable smirk.
Girls Can Be Kaepernick, Too
Per an Instagram post from this girl's uncle, "When children are raised to love, respect, show compassion and do the right thing. They will look up to and emulate, athletes based on those same qualities. And not solely upon their athletic abilities." I agree, and I love that a little girl wasn't afraid to dress up like her sports hero.
A Nod To Kaepernick's Philanthropic Efforts
This sign is powerful on its own, but the costume becomes even better once you realize the context. Kaepernick funds a movement called Know Your Rights Camp "to raise awareness on higher education, self empowerment, and instruction to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios," per the campaign's website. The rights in question:
- You have the right to be free.
- You have the right to be healthy.
- You have the right to be brilliant.
- You have the right to be safe.
- You have the right to be loved.
- You have the right to be courageous.
- You have the right to be alive.
- You have the right to be trusted.
- You have the right to be educated.
- You have the right to know your rights.
I Literally Cannot Handle This
The costumes keep getting harder to handle in the best way. The helmet adds a nice touch to this outfit, and the thinking pose seals the deal.
A Very Busy Kaepernick
It's impossible to look at this kid's costume and not smile. The multitasking combined with the face paint has me convinced her parents are doing a pretty good job.
The Perfect Family Costume
Cute Kaepernick costumes aren't only limited to babies. What could be better than matching Kap jerseys for the whole family? Someone in the comments of this Instagram post asked if they could be adopted even though they're an adult, and I'm on the same page.
Your social media feeds will likely be filled with offensive costumes this week, but these are a delightful reminder that there is actually some good in the world. These kids remind us all that the former football player is still making a noticeable impact, despite what media coverage of him has been.
