Colin Kaepernick Initiative to Offer Free Autopsies for 'Police-Related' Deaths

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick launched an initiative Wednesday through his Know Your Rights Camp to offer free autopsies for "victims' families who have lost their loved ones due to a police-related death."

The Know Your Rights Camp will work with board-certified pathologists to provide a "second autopsy, disclosure of preliminary findings and issuance of the final autopsy report."

Kaepernick released a statement about the initiative's effort to help families, according to the Associated Press.

"We know that the prison industrial complex, which includes police and policing, strives to protect and serve its interests at all costs," he said. "The Autopsy Initiative is one important step toward ensuring that family members have access to accurate and forensically verifiable information about the cause of death of their loved one in their time of need."

Kaepernick founded the Know Your Rights Camp in 2016. The organization's stated mission is to "advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders."

The 34-year-old Wisconsin native started a movement to kneel during the U.S. national anthem in 2016. He explained that decision to NFL Media's Steve Wyche at the time.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color," Kaepernick said. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

He's received numerous honors for his civil rights efforts, including the 2017 Muhammad Ali Legacy Award from Sports Illustrated.

Kaepernick, who guided the Niners to an appearance Super Bowl XLVII at the end of the 2012 season, played for San Francisco through the end of the 2016 campaign. He then opted out of his contract and was never signed by another team.

He filed a collusion grievance against the NFL along with teammate Eric Reid, who also knelt during the anthem, and later signed a settlement agreement with the league.

Kaepernick has repeatedly stated his desire to receive another NFL opportunity but has remained a free agent for the past five seasons.