# Kaepernick's Mom Wanted Him to Date Taylor Swift

> The former NFL quarterback reveals in his memoir that his adoptive mother suggested he pursue the pop star, not understanding his identity.
- Title: Kaepernick's Mom Wanted Him to Date Taylor Swift · Billboard
- Summary: The former NFL quarterback reveals in his memoir that his adoptive mother suggested he pursue the pop star, not understanding his identity. Kaepernick uses…
- Keywords: colin kaepernick, taylor swift, memoir, the perilous fight, adoptive parents, identity, biracial, nfl, travis kelce, kansas city chiefs, civil rights activism, Kaepernick's
- Source: Billboard — https://billboard.com/music/music-news/colin-kaepernick-mom-date-taylor-swift-perfect-for-him-1236342474
- Author: Hannah Dailey
- Published: 2026-09-17T15:37:07+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: colin kaepernick, taylor swift, memoir, the perilous fight, adoptive parents, identity, biracial, nfl, travis kelce, kansas city chiefs, civil rights activism
## Mom thought Swift was perfect match
Colin Kaepernick's mother once suggested he ask out Taylor Swift, believing they would be perfect together. This happened years before Swift married Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.

> she told me that I should ask out Taylor Swift because we would be perfect together
## Kaepernick reveals in new memoir
The revelation comes from Kaepernick's memoir, The Perilous Fight, published on September 15th. He uses the anecdote to show how his adoptive parents didn't understand his true identity.
## Not his type, he says plainly
Kaepernick responded diplomatically, writing that while he has no slight against Swift, she simply wasn't his type. He emphasizes this wasn't about the singer herself.

> No slight to Taylor, but she was not my type.
## Pattern of racial preference revealed
Kaepernick contrasts the Swift suggestion with his mother hiding a homecoming photo with his Black classmate Crystal, then proudly displaying one with his white friend Lindsay instead.

> In her mind, Crystal was just a phase. Lindsay was the kind of girl I should want.
## Kaepernick found happiness elsewhere
Kaepernick is now married to radio personality Nessa Diab, with whom he welcomed a child in 2022. His wedding was far less publicized than Swift's.
## Swift married Kelce in summer 2026
Taylor Swift married Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce over Fourth of July weekend in 2026 at Madison Square Garden with about 1,000 guests. She has since attended his games.
## Kaepernick's NFL career ended in 2016
Kaepernick hasn't played in the NFL since the 2016-2017 season, when he kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality. He later settled a collusion grievance against the league.
## Key takeaway

Kaepernick uses the anecdote to illustrate how his white adoptive parents failed to see and accept his true self as a biracial Black man.