Kaepernick to receive Harvard honor

Colin Kaepernick will receive Harvard University's highest honor in African and African-American studies next month.

The former NFL quarterback, along with comedian Dave Chappelle and six others, will be presented with the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal at the sixth annual Hutchins Center Honors on Oct. 11, the university announced Thursday.

The W.E.B. Du Bois Medal is awarded to those who "have made significant contributions to African and African-American history and culture, and more broadly, are individuals who advocate for intercultural understanding and human rights in an increasingly global and interconnected world." Past recipients include Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, and Oprah Winfrey.

In its press release, Harvard highlighted Kaepernick's pledge to donate $1 million to community organizations, which he completed in January. He was recently made the face of Nike's "Just Do It" 30th-anniversary campaign.