Colin Kaepernick’s Muslim girlfriend Nessa Diab reportedly influenced the quarterback to sit during the national anthem in protest for “people that are being oppressed.”
A Fox News article revealed some more evidence that reflects Kaepernick’s “conversion to social activism” occurred once he began dating activist DJ Nessa Diab, “who has frequently spoken about perceived racial injustices and ‘Islamaphobia’ in the U.S.”
The San Francisco quarterback and MTV DJ began dating in July 2015, according to Fox News Sports. Shortly after that time, Kaepernick’s social media activity has become increasingly reflective of the “Black Lives Matter and Muslim activism of Diab,” Fox News reports.
“History!” Kaepernick captioned the photo, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Black Panther Party last October. (RELATED: Kaepernick’s Communist-Sympathizing Muslim Girlfriend Believed To Be Behind Protest)
Before beginning his relationship with Diab, Kaepernick’s Instagram mostly consisted of photos of him playing football or hanging with friends — about 128 of Kaepernick’s 170 posts, according to Fox News. Since dating Diab, Kaepernick’s social media focus has shifted toward black nationalist and Black Lives Matter-related messages.
“31 of his last 42 posts have strong social justice connotations, often featuring quotes from radical Nation of Islam leader Malcolm X, Black Panthers founder Huey Newton and cop killer Assata Shakur,” according to Fox News.
After the reaction to Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the national anthem, Kaepernick attended a news conference in a “balack hat with a large, white ‘X’ and a t-shirt that featured photos of Cuban despot Fidel Castro and Malcolm X.”
Diab’s social media includes a lot of content related to her job as an MTV DJ, but also reflects her views as a black rights activist and Islam defender. She recently defended her boyfriend in a tweet saying “I’m always proud of him and always will be @Kaepernick7. Please take the time to UNDERSTAND what he is saying,” Diab tweeted with a link to a transcript of his news conference following his protest.
I’m always proud of him and always will be @Kaepernick7 . Please take the time to UNDERSTAND what he is saying https://t.co/9813ly7guS
— NESSA (@nessnitty) August 28, 2016
Diab also “frequently retweets Black Lives Matter supporter and newspaper columnist Shaun King on race-related issues,” Fox News added.
The 49ers quarterback says that he plans to continue sitting. Kaepernick stated he won’t stand until “there’s significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent.” If this country begins “representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”
Here are some of the San Francisco quarterback’s other Instagram posts: