Credit: Just Jared
Beyonce in a very tight mini dress presented Colin Kaepernick with the prestigious Muhammad Ali Legacy Award at the Sports Illustrated 2017 Sportspersons of the Year Awards.
The event took place last night at the Barclays Center in New York City.
Beyonce’s appearance was a huge surprise for attendees of the event who gave her a rousing round of applause as she walked on the stage.
JAY-Z’s wife thanked the football player for taking a stand for those in the African-American community affected by injustice.
For the past months, Kaepernick has been making headlines for kneeling during the National Anthem at football games to raise awareness about racial inequality in America.
President Donald Trump has bashed the athlete on numerous occasion for his actions.
The Texan diva praised Kaepernick for not waiving despite the backlash.
The mother of three said: “Hi everyone! It feels so good to be here on such a special night of appreciation. Thank you, Colin Kaepernick. Thank you for your selfless heart and your conviction. Thank you for your sacrifice.”
She added: “Colin took action with no fear of consequence or repercussion, only hope to change the world for the better; to change perception; to change the way we treat each other, especially people of color. We’re still waiting for the world to catch up. It’s been said that racism is so American that when we protest racism, some assume we’re protesting America.”
.@Beyonce presents @Kaepernick7 with SI's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award
Watch Kaepernick’s full speech on Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network #Sportperson pic.twitter.com/G7kaeytA2g
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 6, 2017
She went on to explain: “So, let’s be very clear. Colin has always been very respectful of the individuals who selflessly serve and protect our country and our communities and our families. His message is solely focused on social injustice for historically disenfranchised people. Let’s not get that mistaken.”
The football player said in his acceptance speech: “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m so proud and humbled to present the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award to Colin Kaepernick. I accept this award not for myself, but on behalf of the people. Because if it was not for my love of the people, I would not have protested. And if it was not for the support of the people, I would not be on this stage today. With or without the NFL’s platform, I will continue to work for the people, because my platform is the people.”
Last year’s Ali Award winner, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, paid an emotional tribute to Kaepernick by saying: “He fully embraced the risk to his career in order to remind Americans of the systemic racism that was denying African Americans their opportunities to equal education, jobs, health and even their lives.”
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