Former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick took to the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 on Wednesday to talk about the challenges faced by those who want to disrupt something inside and outside of the tech industry.
“The biggest thing you're likely to face is when you try to destroy something, or do something you're passionate about, and end up destroying something in the process. One of the challenges is that we face a lot of resistance,” Kaepernick said. Said. “There are going to be tough times, and when you do that you want to have people you can rely on, people who support you. That really gives you perseverance.”
Kaepernick is no stranger to challenging the status quo, as he made national headlines in 2016 by taking a knee to protest racial injustice. The former NFL star said he faced a lot of resistance, but also felt the push to build a better, more just future.
“When you do that and you see a really strong reaction to it, it really gives you perspective and insight,” Kaepernick said. “We still have a long way to go. But the other part of what I learned during that time is that there are also a lot of people who want to go far with you. was also organized.
Having written thousands of stories about him, he wants to help creators take control of their stories with Rumi. The startup aims to empower creators by helping them create and publish stories and content independently.
Kaepernick offered some advice for founders looking to disrupt and explore their passion.
“Do your homework and understand why you're doing what you're doing,” he said. “And two, once you figure it out, pursue it with passion, work on it with everything you have, and bring people along. If you've helped me, a lot of people… Without it, I wouldn't be sitting here today and no one would know me at all, from my wife to my family to my teammates to my coaches. The investors and advisors that I've been involved with up until now. So stay with people like that because that's what makes us and what makes you sustainable in the long term.”