
The Pivot Podcast: Full Episodes
Hosted by Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor and Ryan Clark
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
Colin Kaepernick joins the hosts to discuss his memoir, The Perilous Fight, reflecting on his childhood, his athletic career, and the pivotal decision to take a knee. He shares formative experiences from growing up in a predominantly white community, discovering the works of Malcolm X, and navigating the complexities of race and identity as a public figure. The conversation explores the systemic issues that sparked his activism, the personal costs and resilience required over the past decade, and his ongoing commitment to community work through the Know Your Rights Camp alongside his wife, Nessa. The episode offers a deep, personal look beyond the headlines at the man behind the movement and his vision for collective change.
Discussion of how athletes like Allen Iverson and Randy Moss, along with Malcolm X's biography, shaped Colin’s worldview and activism.
The hosts welcome Colin Kaepernick and set the stage for the interview, introducing the podcast and the focus on his memoir.
Colin recounts a formative childhood event where he was tied to a rose tree, highlighting early experiences of racial tension.
Colin explains how studying Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party, and other leaders deepened his understanding of systemic racism.
Colin details the moment he decided to kneel, the reactions from the NFL, and the personal and professional fallout he faced.
Exploration of Colin’s broader activism, including community programs, partnerships, and his efforts to address systemic injustice.
The conversation shifts to Kaepernick’s experiences as a father, discussing his own birth and the emotional weight of raising his children.
Childhood Incident at Age Eightstory
Recounts a traumatic childhood experience of being tied to a tree by older neighborhood kids, which shaped his early awareness of race and community safety.
Navigating Race Within Familyinsight
Explains how being raised by a white family without open conversations about racism created an environment where he had to navigate his blackness alone.
The Impact of Malcolm Xinsight
Describes reading the autobiography of Malcolm X as the most pivotal book in shifting his mindset and opening the door to a lineage of black revolutionaries.
NFL Combine and Historical Parallelsinsight
Compares the process of the NFL Combine to historical conditioning used to enforce obedience, noting how unnecessary physical inspections serve institutional control.
Details how Eric Reid conceived the idea of taking a knee and became the first validator of the protest in San Diego.
Exposes the behind-the-scenes communications and pressures surrounding high-profile entertainment deals and public relations strategies with the NFL.
Partner Support and Leadershipstory
Praises his wife Nessa for her resilience, her role as co-founder of Know Your Rights Camp, and how she helped broaden his global perspective.
“The normally quiet former quarterback has had plenty to say as he releases his memoir, The Perilous Fight.”
“I was about eight years old. And, you know, it's summertime.”
“Like, I didn't really know how to put that in perspective.”
“I think that becomes this mentality of, we have to look at it through a lens of collectivism.”
“I had played every scenario out in my head.”
“It took very specific actions to make sure that was the case.”
“I love deeply. And you all know this, like, there's no other feeling that you get stepping on that field after having put in so much work and time and dedication to be able to go out and try to win a game and try to win a championship.”
“I was willing. Man, you know, part of loving your family, you talk about the two most important people, is being able to provide for them as well.”
Colin Kaepernick joins Ryan, Channing and Fred for one of his most personal and revealing conversations yet. A decade after he took a knee and changed the conversation around athletes, race, protest and power, Colin is telling the story behind the story in his new memoir, The Perilous Fight. From growing up as a Black child adopted into a white family, to the experiences and misconceptions that shaped him long before he ever stepped onto an NFL field… from becoming a star quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers and reaching the Super Bowl, to the decision to protest during the national anthem and everything that followed. Colin opens up about what people have gotten wrong about his journey, what actually led him to kneel, the fallout with the NFL, the years of questions surrounding his career, and the moments behind the headlines that he says have never fully been told. He also gets candid about his relationship with Jay-Z, their conversations surrounding the NFL and Roc Nation, and why that relationship became complicated. And then there’s the part of Colin’s story that exists beyond football and activism: fatherhood, family, identity, purpose and the man he has become today. A conversation about childhood, race, football, sacrifice, power, relationships, fatherhood, misconceptions, and what it means to stand on what you believe—even when the world decides to define you for itself. Full video playing now on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10,993 words · 9 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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