Colin Kaepernick has certainly cemented himself in pop culture — and arguably, political — history and that was apparent the moment he decided to #TakeAKnee in protest against police brutality.

Kaepernick's 49ers jersey became an iconic image and was a top seller for reasons far beyond his football skills. Now, New York's Museum of Modern Art is honoring Kaepernick. According to Quartz, Kaepernick's former jersey is on display as part of the museum's "Items: Is Fashion Modern" exhibit. Art literally imitating life!

The exhibit is to highlight items that "represent stereotypes of different garments and ideas in fashion." Kaepernick's jersey, in particular, is amongst the sports fashion influence and is joining other legendary jerseys such as those worn by NBA's Michael Jordan and Brazilian soccer legend Pelé.

Photo: Marc Bain

“When the whole Kaepernick thing happened last year, it was noted by the NFL that his jersey was outpacing the sales of [New England Patriots quarterback] Tom Brady’s jersey,” explained museum research assistant Stephanie Kramer, who serves as the exhibit curatorial team's fashion expert. “To us, that seemed to us to indicate a sea change in what the jersey represents for people. Not necessarily your hero, good-looking quarterback, but perhaps somebody who was using his sports prowess and celebrity to say something socially and politically. We thought that made a really important statement about what the sports jersey could mean to its wearer.”

"Items: Is Fashion Modern" will open October 1 and will be showcased at MoMA on the sixth floor through January.

Museum of Modern Art

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