In a move that’s equal parts baffling and bold, The Washington Post has declared Colin Kaepernick 'the most relevant figure' to Super Bowl LX, leaving many scratching their heads and wondering if the paper has completely lost touch with reality. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Kaepernick’s legacy truly central to the Super Bowl, or is this just a desperate grab for attention from a publication on its last legs?
Let’s break it down. The Washington Post, reeling from mass layoffs and the shuttering of its sports department, decided to publish a lengthy column by Adam Kilgore ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl. The subject? Colin Kaepernick—a former NFL quarterback who hasn’t played in nearly a decade and has no direct connection to the teams competing in this year’s game (the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots). The only tenuous link? Kaepernick once played for the San Francisco 49ers, whose stadium in Santa Clara is hosting the event. Uh, okay.
Kilgore doesn’t just mention Kaepernick—he crowns him the most relevant figure to Super Bowl LX. Let that sink in. The article reads like a parody, with Kilgore arguing, 'The current moment and the Super Bowl’s location provide a platform to examine the legacies of Kaepernick’s protest.' But here’s the part most people miss: Kaepernick’s protests, while significant, have been largely absent from Super Bowl conversations for years. As Kilgore himself admits later in the piece, 'It has not been a topic at the Super Bowl.'
So why force the connection? It’s hard not to see this as a thinly veiled attempt to generate clicks and stir controversy. Super Bowl week is traditionally about the teams, the matchup, and the spectacle—a celebration of the most popular sport in the U.S. By dragging Kaepernick into the spotlight, the Post seems more interested in sparking debate than providing meaningful analysis. And this is the part most people miss: Is this a genuine attempt to honor Kaepernick’s legacy, or a cynical ploy to stay relevant in an increasingly crowded media landscape?
The irony isn’t lost on anyone. Just as CEO Seth Dillon of the Babylon Bee recently pointed out the Post’s struggles, Kilgore seems to be playing into the very narrative that’s sinking the paper. Could this be a calculated move to position himself for a new job? Or is he simply a journalist so committed to his narrative that he’s willing to ignore the obvious?
Either way, the Post’s decision to center Kaepernick in Super Bowl LX coverage feels like a misstep. It’s a reminder of why the paper is struggling to stay afloat—and a thought-provoking question for all of us: In an era of declining trust in media, how far is too far when it comes to chasing clicks and controversy? Let’s discuss in the comments—do you think Kaepernick’s legacy is relevant to this year’s Super Bowl, or is the Post stretching too far?
