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Colin Kaepernick’s jersey appears at Finals
A spectator near the court wore former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s No. 7 jersey during Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals.
The Golden State Valkyries hosted the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on October 17, 2026. The Spun reported the jersey sighting during Golden State’s 68-64 victory in the championship opener.
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Colin Kaepernick’s jersey draws attention
Sports writer Dan Zaksheske highlighted a spectator wearing Colin Kaepernick’s No. 7 jersey during the October 17 WNBA Finals opener. His social media post drew attention to the courtside sighting.
The Spun subsequently covered the photograph and characterized the jersey as a show of support for Kaepernick. The moment involved an individual spectator rather than a formal tribute organized by the WNBA or either of the participating teams.
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Colin Kaepernick has deep Bay Area ties
Colin Kaepernick spent his entire NFL playing career with the San Francisco 49ers, representing the franchise from 2011 through 2016. His professional football career established a connection with sports fans throughout Northern California.
The 49ers currently play their home games at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, while the Golden State Valkyries play at Chase Center in San Francisco. Both venues serve professional sports audiences across the Bay Area.
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Colin Kaepernick attended 2024 WNBA playoffs
Colin Kaepernick attended Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA semifinal series between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces. The October 1, 2024, matchup took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
During the game, the arena’s video screen identified Kaepernick as a former NFL quarterback and activist. According to reporting cited by The Spun, spectators cheered as he smiled and waved toward the crowd.
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Colin Kaepernick began protests in 2016
Colin Kaepernick began protesting racial injustice during the 2016 NFL season while playing quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He initially sat during the national anthem before adopting a kneeling demonstration.
Kaepernick explained that his actions addressed racial inequality and police brutality in the United States. Other professional athletes later participated in similar demonstrations, while his decision generated both public support and criticism across American sports.
Image Press Agency/DepositphotosColin Kaepernick discusses his NFL absence
Colin Kaepernick has not appeared in an NFL regular-season game since the 2016 season. During a September 2026 interview with NBC News, he discussed his extended absence from professional football and the league.
Kaepernick said he believes his protests contributed to his exclusion from the NFL. He also explained that he watches college football instead of NFL games because of his concerns about the league’s treatment of protesting players.
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Colin Kaepernick maintains early workouts
Colin Kaepernick continued training regularly in 2026, nearly 10 years after his final NFL regular-season appearance. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback discussed his fitness routine in interviews published during September.
The Guardian reported that Kaepernick still gets up at approximately 4:30 a.m. each day to train. His regular workouts remain part of his schedule despite not having played in an NFL regular-season game since 2016.
Fun fact: The Golden State Valkyries introduced Violet, a raven mascot nicknamed Vi, during halftime of their game against the Connecticut Sun on August 11, 2025, at Chase Center Ballhalla.
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Golden State Valkyries win Finals opener
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68 to 64 in Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals on October 17. The victory gave Golden State an early lead in the championship series.
According to the WNBA’s official game recap, the contest featured 7 lead changes and 6 ties. Golden State closed the game with a 17 to 6 scoring run to secure the franchise’s first Finals victory.
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Gabby Williams scores 26 points in Game 1
Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams scored 26 points against the Atlanta Dream in the October 17 WNBA Finals opener. Williams led all scorers as Golden State secured a victory at Chase Center.
Williams scored 16 points during the second quarter and made 4 free throws in the final 1 minute and 18 seconds. According to the WNBA, no other Golden State player reached double figures in scoring.
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Angel Reese records 14 points in Game 1
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds against the Golden State Valkyries in Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals. Her rebounding performance helped Atlanta compete throughout the championship opener.
Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 19 points after returning from a hand injury that sidelined her during part of the semifinals. Jordin Canada added 8 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds for the Dream.
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Valkyries reach Finals in their second year
The Golden State Valkyries reached the 2026 WNBA Finals in their second season after beginning league play in 2025. The expansion franchise completed the 2026 regular season with a 32 to 12 record.
Golden State entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed and swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in 3 semifinal games. The Valkyries became the first WNBA expansion franchise to reach the Finals in its second season.
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Atlanta Dream tie Finals series at 1 to 1
The Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries 79 to 65 in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on October 19, 2026. The victory tied the championship series after Golden State won the opener.
Angel Reese led Atlanta with 30 points and 16 rebounds, while Allisha Gray contributed 18 points. According to the WNBA, Reese became the youngest player to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game.
Wondering what sparked Colin Kaepernick’s criticism of Jerry Jones over racial issues? Explore why Colin Kaepernick questions Jerry Jones on racial issues.
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WNBA Finals move to Atlanta for Game 3
The 2026 WNBA Finals will continue at 8 p.m. EDT on October 21, when the Atlanta Dream host the Golden State Valkyries in Game 3. The best-of-seven championship series is tied 1-1 entering the game.
Games 3 and 4 are scheduled for State Farm Arena, home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. The venue offers substantially more seating than Gateway Center Arena, where the Dream played most of their 2026 home games.
Curious why Colin Kaepernick’s comparison of the NFL Combine to slavery sparked controversy? Find out why Colin Kaepernick criticized the NFL Combine slavery comparison.
What do you think about Colin Kaepernick’s No. 7 jersey appearing at the WNBA Finals? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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