LeBron James shares handwritten note of thanks from Colin Kaepernick

LeBron James posted a note from Colin Kaepernick, thanking him for his solidarity on social justice issues.

LeBron James has become the most outspoken athlete on the planet when it comes to fighting for social justice, but he wasn’t the first.

On Friday night, James shared a handwritten note he received from Colin Kaepernick, who sparked a movement by kneeling during the national anthem years ago.

“Four years ago on August 14, 2016, I began protesting against systemic racism and social injustice,” the note, which James posted on Instagram, reads. “Truth is what I sought. Solidarity is what you showed me. Love is what moves us forward. Thank you for staying true.”

James captioned the photo with a message of his own: “Standing/kneeling right next to you brother! Appreciate you.”

LeBron James and Colin Kaepernick have used their platforms in huge ways.

While they stand in solidarity now, the response to Kaepernick and James shows how the conversation around racial injustice has developed over the years.

Back in 2016, when Kaepernick first kneeled during the pregame national anthem while a member of the San Francisco 49ers, the controversy cost him his place in the league. Before he could be released by the Niners, he opted out of his contract in search of another team. No one came calling and he eventually filed a grievance with the NFL, claiming he was blackballed because of his political stances.

By contrast, James has become a leading voice in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in the NBA. In protest of the Jacob Blake shooting, he was a driving force behind the league-wide cancelation of games earlier this week, even proposing a cancelation of the entire playoffs.

Athlete activism has become the norm in sports and James is a prime example of an athlete using his platform. Kaepernick set the stage.