Colin Kaepernick Says He Thinks the National Anthem Is a ‘Bad Song’

Ahmad Austin Jr.Thu, September 17, 2026 at 5:24 PM UTC

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Ex-NFL player Colin Kaepernick argued that, from a purely musical standpoint, the United States’ national anthem is a “bad song.”

As part of his press tour to promote his upcoming memoir, Kaepernick appeared on Wednesday’s episode of The Adam Friedland Show. A little more than 24 minutes into their wide-ranging conversation, Friedland asked Kaepernick, “Do you think ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ is a good song?” Kaepernick quickly responded with a “no.”

“You just think, as a song, it’s wack?” Friedland asked.

“Yeah, it’s a bad song,” Kaepernick said.

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They then talked about the possibility of choosing a new national anthem, prompting Friedland to suggest the song “March Madness” by Atlanta rapper Future. The conversation continued:

FRIEDLAND: Do you think– what would be a better song? Just, if you were going to choose a– let’s assume America’s not being bad anymore. Let’s assume it’s– we’re loving it. We’re cooking, right? And you want to give us our theme.

KAEPERNICK: Hm.

FRIEDLAND: March Madness?

KAEPERNICK: Great choice.

FRIEDLAND: March Madness.

KAEPERNICK: Great choice.

FRIEDLAND: Yeah, yeah, I think. Honestly, that is a good pull, no? If March Madness was our national anthem?

KAEPERNICK: Not mad at that.

FRIEDLAND: Yeah, would white people– what would we do, though, with the–

KAEPERNICK: Cheer it on.

FRIEDLAND: No, but we want to say every– not that word, obviously.

KAEPERNICK: Oh.

FRIEDLAND: If the national anthem had the [n word], OK–

KAEPERNICK: I mean, that’s where we got self-edit.

FRIEDLAND: I’m just saying, it’s in the song.

Kaepernick, 38, made headlines in 2016 when he refused to stand for the national anthem.

He later explained that he remained kneeling as an act of protest against police brutality, sparking nationwide discourse.

He has not played in the NFL since 2017, and he’s insisted that the league intentionally blackballed him for his political stances.

The post Colin Kaepernick Says He Thinks the National Anthem Is a ‘Bad Song’ first appeared on Mediaite.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”