Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback known for his protests during the national anthem, recently praised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as an inspiring political figure. This comes nearly a decade after Kaepernick famously said he wouldn’t vote in the 2016 presidential election, citing his opposition to “the system of oppression.” In a recent interview with NBC News, Kaepernick discussed how his views on voting and political engagement have evolved over time. In 2016, Kaepernick became a polarizing figure when he revealed he had not voted in the presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. He criticized both candidates, calling Trump “openly racist” and condemning Clinton for using the term “super predators” in the 1990s to describe young Black males. At the time, Kaepernick argued it would be hypocritical to vote for either candidate, believing that the system itself was oppressive and that voting would not change that. Kaepernick’s perspective shifted after Trump’s first term in office, which he said highlighted the importance of voting in shaping political outcomes. In his memoir, The Perilous Fight, he writes that he voted for Democratic candidates in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections and now sees non-participation in electoral politics as “irresponsible.” He emphasized that while his original intentions were rooted in a desire to resist oppression, the strategy of not voting had unintended consequences that could have been avoided. Kaepernick now finds inspiration in politicians like Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist who was elected mayor of New York City in November 2025. Mamdani ran on a platform focused on expanding childcare access, freezing rent in stabilized apartments, and opening city-run grocery stores. A recent Siena College poll found that 69% of New Yorkers have a favorable view of the mayor. Kaepernick praised Mamdani for his commitment to public service and his focus on holding leaders accountable to the needs of the people. He believes Mamdani’s leadership style could encourage more people to engage in the political process, especially those who feel disconnected from current politicians.