Colin Kaepernick is probably more famous these days for his time after the gridiron than when he was an active athlete. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback most notably made a name for himself with a series of silent protests during the 2016 NFL season which ultimately led to him becoming a free agent and remaining unsigned.
The activist is unapologetically vocal about fighting for equality, pushing back against racism, and speaking up for police and judicial reform. Kaepernick is open about his biracial background and being adopted by white parents — and how these two realities have shaped his experience in life as he explored what it meant to be Black in America.
But even before he became known as a vocal activist, Colin Kaepernick has had a supporting partner standing by his side and her name is Nessa Diab. The two have been together for a while. So who is she, what’s the timeline of when the couple met, how does she spend her days, and what is the duo up to now?
Nessa Diab is a Powerhouse in Her Own Right
Colin Kaepernick is known as a former NFL quarterback and activist — but Nessa Diab is a force and personality in her own right. The Egyptian American is a philanthropist and activist who hails from California. When she’s not collaborating with Kaepernick for social justice or awareness causes, she’s an on-air personality.
Her resume reads like a who’s who of coveted broadcast radio and television network positions. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a mass communications degree, Diab worked at iHeart Radio and Power 106 in Los Angeles. She hosted “Girl Code” on MTV along with the after season specials and reunions for other popular Viacom franchises such as “Real World”, “Teen Mom”, “The Challenge”, and “Snookie & J Woww.”
These days, fans can catch her on a New York radio institution — Hot 97 — with her show “Nessa On Air” which is syndicated in over 15 markets. She is also the current host of Talk Stoop where Diab earned a New York Emmy nomination. Podcast listeners can also enjoy her repertoire with her podcast, “Nessa Off Air.”
The Colin Kaepernick — Nessa Diab Timeline
The earliest reports linking Colin Kaepernick to Nessa Diab date back to 2015. But the two wouldn’t go public with their pairing until February 2016 when they were spotted together at a charity function to raise awareness for children suffering from heart disease.
Beginnings of Joint Philanthropy
That first charity event would be the beginning of their combined philanthropic efforts as the two continued to work with other charities. In September 2016, Nessa attended the Time 100 Gala as Kaepernick’s plus one to celebrate him being honored by the publication. This would also be the first time Kaepernick featured Nessa on his Instagram feed.
October of that year, the duo co-founded the Know Your Rights Camp which essentially empowers members of marginalized communities to effectively organize and demonstrate to create change. In 2017, Nessa Diab spoke passionately about why she was so attracted to her boo. In reference to him being named the “Citizen of the Year” by GQ, she stated that “Colin has always been helping people, he has always been involved, because he has empathy.”
In turn, the following year Kaepernick gushed over Diab’s support of his pledge to donate $1 million to charities serving underprivileged communities. Later, in an Instagram video posted to his account, he shared that “Words cannot express my gratitude for everything you’ve done for me…I look forward to what we will accomplish together in the future together! I Love You, Queen!”
More High Profile Appearances and Unconditional Support
In 2019, the two made a high fashion debut on the red carpet of the coveted Met Gala where they channeled their respective ancestral connections to Egypt and Ghana (Kaepernick’s birth father is of Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Ivorian ancestry) according to Kaepernick’s Instagram post.
The following year, things began to look up for Colin Kaepernick’s professional football career. Nessa fully endorsed his potential of returning to the gridiron by championing him after rumors surfaced in 2020 that he might get signed to the New York Jets. She posted to Twitter (now X) stating that “Any team that actually wants to win should sign Colin.” Although the couple tend to keep a low profile, Nessa was by Colin’s side in 2021 for the premiere of his limited Netflix Series, “Colin in Black & White.”
Colin and Nessa Welcome a Baby
In August 2022, the couple welcomed their first child but were tight-lipped about details such as the baby’s name or even the gender. However, Nessa has dropped hints that at least their baby is almost like Kaepernick’s doppleganger, referring to him in an Instagram post a few months later that “Our baby is Colin’s TWWWWWIIINNN” and adding a heart face emoji to the caption. It wasn’t until much later that the two confessed they were a happy family with a little girl.
The Duo Wrote a Children’s Book
Two years later in September 2024, Colin and Nessa co-wrote a children’s book titled “We Are Free, You & Me.” The book champions messaging from their foundation Know Your Rights Camp and the “10 points” which highlight fundamental human rights like “you have the right to be safe” or “you have the right to be courageous.” The couple vowed to donate all proceeds to their organization.
The Future is Bright for Colin and Nessa
Nearly 10 years after the powerhouse couple became an item, the two are still going strong. From spearheading organizations designed to give a voice and hope to marginalized communities to both being recognized for their individual and joint efforts, this is a duo that will continue to be in the forefront.