Colin Kaepernick's partner, Nessa, announces on Instagram the birth of their first child

Colin Kaepernick's partner, Nessa, announced on Instagram the birth of the couple's first child.

"I thought long and hard about sharing our life changing news today. I decided to do so because today is the first day in a few weeks where I stepped out for work with a new life title - MOM!" wrote Nessa, who hosted the VMA red carpet show Sunday night for MTV. "Colin and I welcomed our amazing baby to the world a few weeks ago and we are over the moon with our growing family."

"Colin is the most amazing dad and I’m soooo grateful that he is by our side for every moment of this journey," Nessa wrote. "I know sharing this allows me to connect with you in different ways that I never imagined. My conversations and life experiences have already changed. And my world has gotten that much bigger thanks to our sweet little baby who has shown me how to love in ways I never knew."

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The 34-year-old Kaepernick last played in the NFL in the San Francisco 49ers' 2016 regular-season finale. It was during the 2016 preseason that Kaepernick started kneeling during the national anthem before games as a way to protest police brutality and racial inequality. In October 2017, Kaepernick filed a collusion grievance against the league, alleging that owners were conspiring to keep him out of the league. Kaepernick settled that grievance 16 months later.

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In May, Kaepernick had his first workout with an NFL team since his time out of the league, working out for the Las Vegas Raiders. He ultimately went unsigned by the team.

In six seasons with the 49ers, Kaepernick started 58 games. He threw for a total of 12,271 yards, 72 touchdowns with 30 interceptions for a career passer rating of 88.9. During the 2012 season, Kaepernick took over as starter for Alex Smith and helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl 47, where the team lost to the Baltimore Ravens.