Colin Kaepernick Honoured With New Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Flavour

There's plenty of ways to pay tribute to our legendary sports heroes.

We've seen memorials made, murals painted and even streets named after various individuals.

But Ben & Jerry's have come up with a genius idea which is slightly different to your conventional method of honouring someone.

In a nod to Colin Kaepernick, the American ice cream giants have decided to name a new flavour after him.

PA

But they're not weaving in his world-renowned surname into the official title, instead they're simply calling the flavour 'Change The Whirled' - something the former quarterback has strived to do before, during and after his NFL career.

And according to Ben & Jerry's, the non-dairy caramel base with graham crackers and chocolate cookie swirls is: "100% certified vegan, just like Kaepernick himself."

"We are so inspired by Colin Kaepernick's bold activism for racial justice that we did what we do best: We whipped up a euphoric flavour to honour his work," the company said.

"We're proud to be working with a dedicated activist like Colin Kaepernick, whose work helped spark the international conversation around racial justice."

Kaepernick, whose face will also feature on the packaging, hopes his partnership with the ice cream manufacturers will continue to drive conversation in regards to police brutality.

"I'm honoured to partner with Ben & Jerry's on Change the Whirled," he said.

"Their commitment to challenging the anti-Black roots of policing in the United States demonstrates a material concern for the wellbeing of Black and Brown communities. My hope is that this partnership will amplify calls to defund and abolish the police and to invest in futures that can make us safer, healthier, and truly free."

The ice cream itself will officially hit the shelves in 2021.

The former San Francisco 49ers star has been a strong activist in standing up against racial injustices and police brutality - or in Kaepernick's case, kneeling.

On 26 August 2016, he infamously protested prior to the 49ers' preseason game against the Green Bay Packers by sitting during the American national anthem - a move that was greeted with a mixed reception from the American public.

And on 1 September, after consolidating with ex-NFL long snapper and Green Beret Nate Boyer, Kaepernick decided it would be more appropriate and respectful to take a knee during 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.

The iconic move has since become synonymous with standing up to racism, social injustices and police brutality.

And since then, other sporting codes have adopted it too - most notably in the NBA and the Premier Leaguefollowing the death of George Floyd back in May of 2020.

Topics: American Football, Racism, American football news, NFL, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry