Celebrities' Parents
Colin Kaepernick’s Parents: Race, Marriage, and Age
Find out the race and marital status of Colin Kaepernick’s parents. Read about his birth mother, adoptive parents, and how to contact them. Find out more here.
Heidi Russo, Teresa and Rick Kaepernick – Colin Kaepernick’s Parents
American football quarterback, Colin Kaepernick was placed for adoption by his biological mother Heidi Russo, soon after his birth in 1987. Being white, only 19 years old, and raising an Afro/American baby single-handedly was always going to be tough, and so Russo, wanting to give her son the best chance, saw him adopted by the Kaepernick family.
Rick and Teresa Kaepernick already had two other children, Kyle and Devon, but decided to adopt Colin, described by them as the ‘perfect child’ after losing their other two sons due to congenital heart defects.
As depicted in Netflix’s Colin in Black & White, Colin’s adopted mom was a nurse, while Rick was the vice president of a cheese manufacturer. When Colin was four years old, the family moved from Fond du Lac in Wisconsin, to Turlock in California.
Raising a bi-racial child was a struggle for the Kaepernicks, but they were determined that Colin understood his heritage, and encouraged him to be confident – a teenage Colin was driven across town to get his rite-of-passage cornrows. Colin said in 2015 interview:
“I knew I was different to my parents and my older brother and sister. [But] I never felt that I was supposed to be white. Or Black, either. My parents just wanted to let me be who I needed to be.”
Rick and Teresa supported Colin throughout his childhood and into adulthood, by his side as he turned pro footballer, and standing up for him when an article in Sporting News by David Whitley slated the player for his many tattoos comparing him to a prison inmate!
In the fall of 2016, Rick and Teresa were behind their son when he received the backlash for his decision to take the knee during the National Anthem as a protest against racism. They are quoted as saying:
“We want people to know that we are very proud of our son and admire his strength and courage in kneeling for the rights of others.”
Colin is currently dating TV host and personality Nessa Diab.
Rick and Teresa’s Photo Gallery
Interview with Colin Kaepernick and his mom, Teresa
What’s the deal with Colin Kaepernick’s parents?
Well, it’s a bit complicated. Colin’s birth mother, Heidi Russo, is a white American, while his birth father is African-American and remains unnamed. However, Heidi gave Colin up for adoption to Rick and Teresa Kaepernick, a white couple from Wisconsin. So, technically, his adoptive parents are his “real” parents.
Where are Colin Kaepernick’s parents from?
Teresa and Rick are American and come from Fond du Lac in Wisconsin. However, when Colin was four the family moved to California.
Are Colin Kaepernick’s adoptive parents still together?
Yes, Rick and Teresa Kaepernick are still going strong. As for Heidi Russo, she married Heath Russo and had three other kids. So, Colin has a whole bunch of siblings out there!
What do Colin Kaepernick’s parents do for a living?
Teresa worked as a nurse and is the co-founder of the group Linked Thru Love, a group aiming to end the stereotypes associated with adoption and birthmothers.
Rick Kaepernick, Colin’s father, is the vice president of operations for Hilmar Cheese Company, in Hilmar, California. Before working in Hilmar, he had a job in the dairy industry in Milwaukee.
Colin Kaepernick gives his mom a Mother’s Day gift
Colin Kaepernick gave his mom the ultimate Mother’s Day gift pic.twitter.com/M9XQauEUIw
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) May 7, 2018
How old are Colin Kaepernick’s folks?
Heidi Russo was born in 1969, which makes her around 55 years old. As for Rick and Teresa, their ages are a mystery. Maybe they’re vampires who never age? We can’t say for sure.
Is the net worth of Colin Kaepernick’s parents known?
The net worth of Colin’s birth mom Heidi Russo hasn’t been released to the public. However, she worked as a nurse in the United States, and as such could have a regular nursing salary of $73,550. As for Rick and Teresa, their net worth was not revealed, but with the average American having assets worth approximately $122, 000, it’s a pretty fair bet that they have a net worth in excess of that figure.
Colin Kaepernick announcing his appearance in VH1’s Dear Mama
View this post on Instagram
Catch #DearMamaVH1: A Love Letter To Moms TONIGHT 9/8c on @VH1! 📸: @karlfergusonjr
Take a look at Colin Kaepernick’s Twitter feed
Want to get in touch with Colin Kaepernick or his parents?
If you’re dying for more juicy details about Colin and his family, don’t hesitate to ask us. We’ll dig through our archives and see what we can find.
