前NFL四分卫科林·卡佩尼克和摇滚歌手布鲁斯·斯普林斯廷周五晚获得美国民权联盟（ACLU）颁发的拉尔夫·艾利森奖，表彰他们在艺术、商业、科学和体育领域对公民权利与自由的贡献 [1]。
卡佩尼克因十年前在国歌奏响时下跪抗议警暴与种族不平等的行为而获得认可 [1]。在接受颁奖时，他表示："当我们回顾这一刻时，改变历史方向的将不是演讲" [1]。ACLU主席黛博拉·阿切尔评价他说："他实时展现了美国对那些挑战种族不公正的人所付出的代价" [1]。
卡佩尼克曾在2017年与队友埃里克·里德向NFL提出合谋申诉，称遭到封杀，双方于2019年达成和解 [1]。
颁奖典礼由女演员拉文·考克斯主持 [1]。活动结束时，斯普林斯廷独唱了《明尼阿波利斯的街道》 [1]。
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and rock musician Bruce Springsteen were honored Friday evening with the Ralph Ellison Award for Defenders of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in the Arts, Business, Science and Sports, presented by the American Civil Liberties Union [1].
The award recognizes their contributions to civil rights and freedoms across their respective fields [1]. Kaepernick's recognition specifically honors his 2016 decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality [1].
During his acceptance remarks, Kaepernick stated: "When we look back at this moment, it will not be the speeches that change the direction of history" [1]. ACLU President Deborah Archer underscored the significance of his activism, observing that "He demonstrated in real time the price America too often exacts from those who challenge racial injustice" [1].
Kaepernick's career was marked by controversy following his kneeling protests. In 2017, he and teammate Eric Reid filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, alleging they were blacklisted for their activism [1]. The case was settled in 2019 [1].
Actress Laverne Cox hosted the awards ceremony [1]. Springsteen concluded the event with a solo performance of "Streets of Minneapolis" [1].