Kevin Durant considers it a privilege to share the spotlight with Colin Kaepernick.
The former 49ers quarterback and social justice icon on Monday was named GQ's "Citizen of the Year," and the Warriors star is "honored and humbled" to be featured on the magazine cover with him.
"Kaepernick is just a guy who's standing up for what he believes in, who's standing up for people who don't really have a voice," Durant told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I'm just honored to be on the (GQ) cover with him, with someone whose words started a conversation that was needed in this country. It's an honor, it's a blessing. I'm grateful to be on the cover and be around some amazing people."
Durant, who was named GQ's "Champion of the Year," went on to discuss the many ways Kaepernick has inspired him to go above and beyond both on and off the court so that he can also use his platform to enact change.
"Just being courageous. He knew he'd take a lot of heat for what he did. He stood up for the people that can't stand up for themselves," Durant said. "As an athlete, we're taught to kind of shut up and play our sport. For him to do that, he put everything on the line, man. You've got to respect it. We all stand behind him and support him as athletes. He makes us proud to be part of the athletic community."
In addition to Kaepernick and Durant, comedian Stephen Colbert was named GQ’s "Bad Hombre of the Year," while actress Gal Gadot was named GQ's "Wonder Woman of the Year."
