(Headline USA) Spike Lee, the activist–auteur whose films were at the cutting edge of racial dialogue in the 1990s—is like the subject of his next ‘joint’ in that neither will make a graceful exit after outstaying their welcome in the public sphere.
That subject—fallen ex-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick—continues to complain about oppression in the league, even five years after he was benched for poor performance and embarked on a journey to disrespect the national anthem in order to cling to his fading spotlight.
Kaepernick’s plan worked. Although the controversy surrounding him kept other teams from snatching up the polarizing figure with a high salary and diminishing on-field returns after Kaepernick refused to renew his contract with San Francisco, he has cashed in with lucrative deals from woke corporations like Nike and ESPN by turning himself into a media martyr and convenient figurehead for their pre-determined agenda.
Next up: Lee will direct a multi-part documentary for ESPN on Kaepernick that features extensive interviews and access to his personal archive.
ESPN Films announced Tuesday that Lee would weave never-before-seen footage from Kaepernick’s archive to provide “a full, first-person account of his journey.”
Kaepernick last played pro football in 2016, the same year he started kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. Although the NFL has encouraged teams to look at Kaepernick, he has yet to receive another pro contract.
No title or release date for the docu-series was announced.
Lee directed the 2009 film, Kobe Doin’ Work, on Lakers great Kobe Bryant. That film examined Bryant’s work ethic and basketball prowess through a single Lakers game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press
