Kaepernick’s Jersey Will Be Featured At The Smithsonian Museum

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It should come as no surprise that as plans for the National Museum of African American History and Culture were developed a few years ago, director Lonnie Bunch reached out to Harry Edwards for input.

The eminent sociologist, himself a piece of walking history, helped with a game-changers exhibit that illuminates the impact of sports figures at the Smithsonian’s newest attraction.

Of course, history continues to evolve, which is why Colin Kaepernick – who jarred America’s consciousness last season by first sitting and then taking a knee during the national anthem – is expected to ultimately be featured in a display at the Smithsonian.

Late last year, not long after the museum opened, Edwards donated a collection of items relating to the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and urged curators to, well, put them on exhibit, ASAP.

“I said, ‘Don’t wait 50 years to try to get some memorabilia and so forth on Kaepernick,’ ” Edwards told USA TODAY Sports. “ ‘Let me give you a game jersey, some shoes, a picture … And it should be put right there alongside Muhammad Ali. He’s this generation’s Ali.’ ”

The Kaepernick items are not currently on display, but the museum’s curator of sports, Damion Thomas, told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday that he expects new material in their collection will be rotated into exhibits in one to two years.

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