Colin Kaepernick, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers who has become known for his left-wing activism and constant complaints about race despite all of the opportunities he’s been given in his young life, accused his adoptive white parents of being racist, drawing a potent response from Tim Kennedy, an MMA fighter and Special Forces veteran.

During an interview on “CBS Mornings” to discuss his new autobiographical graphic novel “Change the Game,” Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and activist, shared that he is a “pretty introverted person” and that he experienced problematic instances of racism from his adoptive-white parents.

“I know my parents loved me, but there were still very problematic things that I went through. I think it was important to show that, no, this can happen in your own home and how we move forward collectively while addressing the racism that is being perpetuated,” he added, according to the Daily Wire.

In the novel, Kaepernick said he wanted cornrows in his hair like his idol, Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers, which he said prompted his adoptive mother to inquire:“He’s getting what rolls?”

“Oh, your hair’s not professional,” Kaepernick told Adriana Diaz of “CBS Mornings.” “Oh, you look like a little thug.”

“Your mom said that to you?” a shocked Diaz asked in response.

“Yeah. And those become spaces where it’s like, okay, how do I navigate this situation now,” Kaepernick replied. “But it also has informed why I have my hair long today.”

Colin @Kaepernick7 accuses his parents of "problematic" behavior raising him, saying they were "perpetuating racism," such as when his mother didn't want him getting cornrows pic.twitter.com/NFXnLeLGXX

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 9, 2023

Kennedy wasted little time in taking aim at Kaepernick on Twitter, responding: “I bleached my hair when I was in high school and my dad told me I look like an idiot. He told me that nobody would hire me. He told me that colleges would laugh at me during interviews. I guess he was just perpetuating racism and didn’t want the best for me.”

I bleached my hair when I was in high school and my dad told me I look like an idiot. He told me that nobody would hire me. He told me that colleges would laugh at me during interviews. I guess he was just perpetuating racism and didn’t want the best for me. https://t.co/u2qKnJmpJa

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) March 10, 2023

Kennedy is known for publicly confronting his opponents without hesitation. In 2017, when Deadspin editor Tim Marchman boasted on Twitter that he would fight any Ted Cruz supporter in the UFC octagon, Kennedy, a former UFC fighter, Army Ranger, sniper, and Special Forces Operator, stepped up to the challenge. Kennedy called out Marchman, calling him a “pathetic cyber bully,” and offered to fight him. Kennedy provided his email address and made himself available at Marchman’s convenience, stating, “I’m your huckleberry.”

After an email with @timmarchman I offered the these fight options:
1. 1 arm tied behind my back.
2. I'm in a sumo suit.
3. 10-1 punch off. pic.twitter.com/2jQnfFYWlG

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 7, 2017