'Thank you for your personal sacrifice': Beyonce makes surprise appearance to present 'humbled' Kaepernick with Muhammad Ali Legacy Award as he promises to 'continue to work for the people'
By Regina F. Graham For Dailymail.com
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Beyonce presented Colin Kaepernick with Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award on Tuesday night, and the athlete promised that 'with or without the NFL's platform, I will continue to work for the people.'
The mother-of-three super star singer was brought out as a surprise presenter by Daily Show host and comedian Trevor Noah.
The Single Ladies hit-maker said she was 'proud and humbled' to present the award to Kaepernick for his courage to open what she called an important conversation about race in the country.
'Thank you, Colin Kaepernick,' the 22-time Grammy winner said. 'Thank you for your selfless heart. And your conviction.
'Thank you for your personal sacrifice. Colin took action with no fear of consequences or repercussions, only hope to change the world for the better.'
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Beyonce, who looked flawless in a black and silver short dress that showed off her toned legs, was not scheduled to hit the stage tonight and took many by surprise during her appearance.
The singer also said the athlete's 'message is solely focused on social injustice for historically disenfranchised people. Let's not get that mistaken.
'Ladies and gentlemen, I'm so proud and humbled to present the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award to Colin Kaepernick.'
The athlete took the stage to a rousing ovation and said: '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, called Kaepernick a 'worthy recipient' during a video tribute.
'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,' Abdul-Jabbar said.
Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem last season to protest racial inequality and police brutality.
The demonstration sparked a wave of protests by NFL players during the anthem that repeatedly have been denounced by President Donald Trump.
Kaepernick parted ways with the San Francisco 49ers in March and hasn't been signed by another team.
He filed a grievance against the NFL in October alleging that he remains unsigned as a result of collusion by owners following his protests.
On Tuesday he spoke about continuing Ali's legacy for fighting social injustice, saying the boxing great 'mentored me without ever meeting me.'
'The footprints he leaves are large,' Kaepernick said, 'and his life is and has been a multi-textured tapestry that is rich in love, wisdom, life lessons and human kindness. I can only hope that I'm taking steps toward walking on the footsteps that he has left behind for the world to follow.'
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Back in 2015, Sports Illustrated renamed the award as a tribute to Ali.
Its mission is to 'celebrate individuals whose dedication to the ideals of sportsmanship has spanned decades and whose career in athletics has directly or indirectly impacted the world.'
Kaepernick skipped the red carpet prior to the show and was not available for questions.
The awards show will be broadcast Friday night on NBC Sports Network.
Kaepernick also recently was honored by the ACLU of Southern California with the Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award and was named GQ magazine's 'Citizen of the Year' for his activism, which included pledging $1 million to 'organizations working in oppressed communities.'
Other winners of the night were Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt and Astros second baseman José Altuve. They were awarded the SI Sportsperson of the Year Award.
