I don't know where you live or how old you are. 1968 is 51 years ago and I was 12 years old. I can't remember how the press covered it. At as for the 2008 ESPYs I doubt many of the voters really remember the event either. Kaepernick is not a modern hero. He did lead the 49ers to the Superbowl (though did not win it) years back but he was fading before he started his protests. He is not as young or as fit as he was since he last played... He won't come back as anymore than a back-up QB if he makes it at all...
I agree with you about Kaepernick not returning to starting QB form, although there are a lot of quarterback-needy teams right now, and there are strong indications that the days of the strictly drop-back passer (which he is not) are numbered. I would not rule him out as a starter, but I wouldn't bet on it.
As for his politics, I also agree that he is not, as you say, a "modern hero," if by that you mean a
populist hero, which I think you do. Certainly, football fan(atic)s don't like him because they are, well,
fanatics and care for nothing that interferes with their enjoyment of the game. The majority of Americans who consider themselves patriots don't like anyone dissing the flag (perhaps because we are so indoctrinated into seeing it as a sacred icon: saying the pledge from kindergarten on, singing the national anthem at many public events while the flag flies above, etc., etc.). In other words, the cards are stacked against anyone like Kaepernick who wants social justice if he/she is viewed as denigrating our precious Star Spangled Banner. He might as well have condemned motherhood, apple pie and Chevrolet.
I guess what I'm saying is he
is a modern hero, Tree. Anyone is who fights for people's rights. But he used your (and others') prime American symbol of patriotism in making his statement, and for that I'm sure you will never forgive him.
BTW, I was born & raised near where the national anthem was written. And I'm in my 70's. And I'm a patriot.
