Colin Kaepernick says he was subjected to racism as a kid -- but his mother Mama Bear'd the hell out of anyone who dared talk smack about her kid ... even at Little League baseball games!
Kaep honored his mother for a VH1 special called "Dear Mama: A Love Letter to Moms" -- and if you know Colin's story, you'd know he was adopted by a white couple, Teresa and Rick Kaepernick.
Colin says he always knew he looked different than the rest of his family -- but he knew they loved him as deeply as any parent would love their child.