A new scripted series based on the high school life of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is headed to streaming giant Netflix, according to Vanity Fair. Titled Colin in Black & White, the six-episode series is being created by Kaepernick and Oscar-nominated director Ava DuVernay. It will explore the "foundation of Kaepernick's budding activism," reports Vanity Fair.
That, of course, led to the controversy in 2016 when Kaepernick started peacefully protesting against social injustice during the national anthem before NFL games.
"Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens," Kaepernick said in a press release. "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."
The 49ers made Kaepernick a second-round draft pick in 2011, and he spent his entire six-year NFL career with the team and even helped guide it to Super Bowl XLVII. San Francisco opted not to retain the quarterback after head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch took control of the team in 2017.
Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season. Many point to the controversy surrounding the quarterback as the reason for his extended unemployment from football. Of course, many of those views have changed due to recent events.
"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.
Netflix has stated that writing for the series wrapped up in May. Filming has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kaepernick completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 12,271 yards with 72 touchdowns and 30 interceptions throughout his NFL career.
