Colin Kaepernick has become a global sensation in the NFL, despite not being a part of the league. From publishing a book to being a part of a documentary, Kap has achieved it all. Although, not all fans know Colin is the adopted child of Rick and Teresa Kaepernick. We dive deeper into the life of Colin’s biological mother and her professional career.

Colin Kaepernick became a phenomenon when he began his career with the San Francisco 49ers. However, his career was short-lived after the controversial stance he took prior to the games. This led to him opting out of his contract. As of now, it has been 5 years, and Kap is still fighting back for another opportunity.

Kaepernick’s birth mother is white and of Italian descent, and she gave birth to him on November 3, 1987. Heidi Russo gave birth to him in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Heidi was too young to raise children on her own. Colin’s biological father, whose identity has not been revealed, left Heidi just before the birth of the ex-49ers quarterback. As of now, she is a certified nurse and has been very successful in her career. She took up residence in Denver, Colorado.

Read More: 2x Super Bowl Champ Gives Honestly Brutal Take On Colin Kaepernick

When Colin was still only 5 weeks old, Russo put him up for adoption and Rick and Teresa Kaepernick adopted him. The couple, who hails from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, have two biological children: Kyle, a son, and Devon, a girl. After losing 2 sons to congenital heart defects, the Kaepernicks chose to adopt.

Despite giving up her son for adoption, Heidi kept in touch with Colin’s foster parents and they continued to send her pictures of Colin. It was until Colin turned seven that they lost contact.

Colin Kaepernick hasn’t spoken to his biological mother in a long time

When Heidi attempted to contact Colin Kaepernick after he became famous, she became the center of attention. However, Colin avoided his birth mother because he believed befriending her would be a breach of the trust of his affectionate foster parents. Heidi is still working to reconnect with her firstborn.

Heidi Russo hit the headlines in 2016 when she chastised Colin for causing a ruckus at one of the NFL games. She advised him to be more cautious in the coming years when dealing with sensitive concerns. Rick and Teresa upheld their son’s right to peacefully protest after a period of inactivity. Colin got all the love he could get from his foster parents.

Watch This Story: Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen Reveal Their Toughest Defensive Opponents Ever Faced