Colin Kaepernick is a professional football player who spent six seasons as the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in the (NFL) National Football League.
Currently a free agent, he played a significant role in leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012 and the NFC Championship Game in 2013.
In addition to his football career, Kaepernick is known for his activism and advocacy for racial justice and against police brutality and systemic oppression.
His act of kneeling during the national anthem before games in 2016 gained nationwide recognition and initiated a widespread discussion regarding these matters within the NFL and beyond.
In 2017, he filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners, alleging that they conspired to prevent him from playing in the league.
The grievance was withdrawn in 2019 after a confidential settlement was reached.
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Who Are Colin Kaepernick’s Non-Biological Parents?
Colin Kaepernick was born on November 3, 1987. The man is a well-known advocate for social justice. His parents fully support his efforts to fight for the rights of marginalized communities.
He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to a white mother of Italian descent, who placed him for adoption with the Kaepernick family when he was just five weeks old.
Colin was raised by adoptive parents Rick and Teresa, who lost two sons due to congenital heart failure.
When Colin was in his teens, he was a talented athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. His family gave him the nickname “Bo” in honor of the athlete Bo Jackson.
Colin Kaepernick’s Non-Biological Mother: Who Is She?
Teresa Kaepernick did not give birth to Colin, but she and her husband, Rick, adopted him. She is a nurse and has two other children, a son named Kyle and a daughter named Devon.
Teresa also experienced the loss of two sons due to heart defects, Lance and Kent.
Colin Kaepernick’s Non-Biological Father: Who Is He?
Colin Kaepernick’s adoptive father is Rick. After experiencing the loss of two sons due to heart defects, Rick and Teresa welcomed Colin into their family in Appleton, Wisconsin, when he was just 5 weeks old.
The family, including Rick, Teresa, and two other children, resided in Fond du Lac before relocating to California when Colin was 4.
This move was for Rick’s job as an operations manager for the Hilmar Cheese Company.
Despite Colin’s different skin color, Rick always supported and stood up for him.
Who Are Colin Kaepernick’s Biological Parents?
Heidi Russo, who is of Italian descent, is the biological mother of Colin Kaepernick. At 19, she gave him up for adoption shortly after his birth.
Colin’s birth father’s identity is unknown, but it is known that he was of African-American descent, specifically Ghanaian, Nigerian and Ivorian.
He left Russo when he found out she was pregnant. Russo currently resides in Denver, Colorado, and works as a certified nurse.
She is married to Russo, and they have three children together, Michael, Ethan, and Alex.
Together with Jami Marcantonio, Russo co-founded an advocacy group called ‘Linked Thru Love,’ which aims to break stereotypes surrounding adoption and birthmothers and to increase understanding about adoption.
She also founded a non-profit organization called ‘Three Strands,’ which offers support to biological mothers.
