Who is Teresa Kaepernick, the woman known as Colin Kaepernick’s adoptive mother? She is a former nurse who raised Colin with her husband, Rick Kaepernick. They adopted him as a baby in Wisconsin. Years later, Colin became an NFL quarterback and activist.

Her family life had both happy and painful years before Colin arrived. Rick and Teresa had two children, Kyle Kaepernick and Devon Kaepernick. They also lost two baby sons, Lance and Kent, because of heart problems. The loss stayed with the family for years.

The couple adopted Colin Kaepernick in early December 1987. He was about five weeks old at the time. They then lived in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A few years later, the family moved to Turlock, California, where Colin grew up.

Quick Bio

Teresa Kaepernick’s Family Before Colin’s Adoption

Before Teresa became known to football fans, she focused on work and family. She trained and worked as a nurse. Rick worked at Hilmar Cheese and later held a senior job there. Their home already included son Kyle and daughter Devon.

The couple also faced great loss. Their baby sons, Lance and Kent, died because of heart defects. Teresa later spoke about how those deaths stayed in her mind. It was a painful part of family life.

After those losses, Rick and Teresa wanted to adopt another boy. They hoped to welcome a child into their home. At that time, they had no idea that their future son would one day play in a Super Bowl.

How Did Teresa Kaepernick Adopt Colin Kaepernick?

Colin Kaepernick was born on November 3, 1987, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His birth mother was Heidi Russo. She was 19 years old when he was born. Russo chose adoption for her baby.

She picked Rick and Teresa Kaepernick as the adoptive parents. The adults met at a lawyer’s office in Wisconsin in early December 1987. Colin was about five weeks old. Teresa later recalled feeling very emotional when she held him.

Colin became the youngest child in the Kaepernick home. Kyle and Devon were his older siblings. The family was white, while Colin is biracial. Race later became an important part of the way Colin spoke about his childhood.

Life in Wisconsin and the Move to Turlock

The family first raised Colin in Fond du Lac. He lived there during his first few years. When he was four, the family moved to Turlock, California.

That move had a big effect on his early life. Colin went to school in the area and loved sports. He played football, baseball, and basketball. His parents spent many hours taking him to games and practices.

Colin’s mother was part of that busy routine. Youth sports can mean long drives and full weekends. For this family, it became part of normal life. Later, those years helped Colin build the skills that took him to college football.

Teresa Kaepernick and Colin’s Early Sports Years

Colin started playing football when he was young. But baseball was also a major part of his school years. By high school, several college baseball programs had shown interest in him. Still, Colin wanted to play football.

His parents allowed him to make that choice. Football offers were not easy to find at first. Baseball looked like the safer option. But Colin stayed focused on becoming a college quarterback.

He later received a football offer from the University of Nevada, Reno. He accepted it and became the school’s quarterback. For Teresa, this was another step in years of supporting her son. Fame had not arrived yet.

From Nevada Football to the San Francisco 49ers

Colin became a top player at Nevada. He could throw the ball and run with it. His strong college play brought interest from NFL teams. The San Francisco 49ers picked him in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

The team selected him with the 36th overall pick on April 29, 2011. Colin later became the starting quarterback. He helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl XLVII after the 2012 season. They lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

That success put the family in the public eye. Reporters often asked about Colin’s adoption and birth mother. They also asked about Rick and Teresa. Colin made it clear that he saw Rick and Teresa as his parents.

Why Did Teresa Kaepernick Support Colin’s Protest?

In 2016, Colin began a protest during the national anthem. He wanted to draw attention to racial injustice and police violence. His choice led to strong support from some people and harsh anger from others.

The debate soon reached his parents. Some reports and public comments said Rick and Teresa Kaepernick did not support Colin. In December 2016, they spoke out. They said they did support their son.

They also said they were proud that Colin stood by his beliefs. Teresa explained that the couple had tried to stay out of the public debate. But false claims about their views kept spreading. So they decided to answer them.

Race, Identity, and Colin’s Later Account of Home

Colin later spoke about race inside his adoptive home. In 2023, he discussed his childhood while talking about his graphic novel Change the Game. He said he knew his parents loved him. But he also said some moments at home hurt him.

One example involved his hair. As a teen, Colin wanted cornrows after seeing Allen Iverson. Colin later said his mother called the style unprofessional. He also said she told him it made him look like a “little thug.”

Colin said that moment shaped the way he thought about race and identity. His account shows that family love did not stop every cultural problem. That is an important part of the story. It also comes from Colin’s own words, not from rumor.

Teresa Kaepernick in Colin in Black and White

The family story reached Netflix in 2021. The limited series Colin in Black & White looks at Colin’s teenage years. It also covers race, school, sports, and family life.

Ava DuVernay and Colin created the six episode series. Mary-Louise Parker played Teresa Kaepernick. Nick Offerman played Rick, while Jaden Michael played young Colin. Colin also appeared as the narrator.

The show does not present his parents as perfect people. It shows parents who love their son but do not always understand what he faces as a Black teen. That idea also appears in Colin’s later interviews.

Teresa Kaepernick and the Family’s Work With Camp Taylor

After Colin joined the 49ers in 2011, Teresa contacted Kimberlie Gamino. Gamino founded Camp Taylor, a program for children with heart disease. The cause had a clear link to the Kaepernick family.

Colin later gave money from his first 49ers paycheck to the camp. He also went to events and spent time with children there. Rick and Teresa helped too. They gave their time to the group.

By 2014, the couple were regular volunteers with Camp Taylor. Some campers called them “Momma and Poppa Kap.” That name shows how involved they became. Their work also kept the memory of Lance and Kent close to the family.

Facts About Teresa Kaepernick

• Worked as a nurse before retirement.
• Married to Rick Kaepernick.
• Mother of Kyle Kaepernick and Devon Kaepernick.
• Adopted Colin Kaepernick when he was about five weeks old.
• Lost baby sons Lance and Kent to heart defects.
• Lived with her family in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
• Moved with the family to Turlock, California.
• Met Heidi Russo during Colin’s adoption process.
• Supported Colin during his school sports years.
• Became widely known during Colin’s NFL career.
• Publicly backed his 2016 anthem protest.
• Was played by Mary-Louise Parker in a 2021 Netflix series.

What Happened After Colin Left the NFL?

Colin became a free agent in 2017 after leaving his contract with the 49ers. His NFL future soon became a major public topic. Many people linked his lack of a new team to his protest.

Teresa did not build a separate public career from that debate. She still appeared in stories about Colin’s childhood and family life. But she did not take on the same public activist role as her son.

Colin later told more of his story through books, interviews, and screen projects. Those works brought his parents back into the news from time to time. Teresa’s best known role remains simple and clear. She raised Colin from infancy and stayed part of his life as his fame grew.

FAQs

Who is Teresa Kaepernick?

Teresa Kaepernick is a retired nurse and the adoptive mother of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick.

When did Teresa and Rick Kaepernick adopt Colin?

Rick and Teresa adopted Colin in early December 1987 in Wisconsin, when he was about five weeks old.

Who are Colin Kaepernick’s siblings?

Colin grew up with Kyle Kaepernick and Devon Kaepernick. The family also lost infant sons Lance and Kent because of heart defects.

Did Colin’s mother support his kneeling protest?

Yes. She and Rick said in December 2016 that they supported Colin and were proud of him for standing by his beliefs.

Who played Colin’s mother in Colin in Black and White?

Mary-Louise Parker played her in the 2021 Netflix series Colin in Black & White. Nick Offerman played Rick Kaepernick.