The jersey came from Kaepernick's NFL debut — an October 2, 2011 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL quarterback attempted just five passes that season. However, none came in that game. Kaepernick was in for Alex Smith for one play and handed the football off to running back Frank Gore before returning to the sideline.
San Francisco won the game 24-23.
Kaepernick became a full-time starter the next season and helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
"Kaepernick signed the jersey from his rookie debut -- inscribing it with the message '2011 game worn rookie jersey' -- and then gifted it to family friend and reporter, Aaron Prince, who put it up for auction in 2019," wrote TMZ. "The item made its way to Julian's Auctions in 2020 -- where it sold at a high profile event for $128,000 to a buyer whose identity has not yet been revealed."
Kaepernick has not played in an NFL game since the 2016 season. The quarterback has since been very involved in social activism, which started when he began peacefully protesting against social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem during his final season in the league.
Kaepernick completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 12,271 yards with 72 touchdowns and 30 interceptions during his NFL career.
Other items at the auction included the NBA jersey given to Michael Jordan on the day he signed with the Bulls in 1984. It sold for $320,000. Former President Barack Obama's high school basketball jersey from 1979 fetched $192,000.
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