Kaepernick has also taken to sporting a large afro.
Advertisement
A sign in the crowd read: “You’re an American”. Lane said he doesn’t know Kaepernick well.
When the same naval officer performed “God Bless America” before the fourth quarter, Kaepernick remained standing and then applauded along with his teammates.
Being San Diego, Kaepernick’s protest was met with continued booing throughout the pre-season game.
After the game, Kaepernick said he would donate the first $1 million he earned this season to organizations that work with the community.
“I am planning to take it a step further”, the 49ers quarterback said.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”, he said after Friday night’s game. “Lane told reporters that he sat to support Kaepernick, and that he’d told nobody he was planning to do that”.
I think that’s very commendable. And I agree with that. “I don’t mean any disrespect to anybody”.
Reid said the idea is to spark more dialogue about issues that plague the country, such as police brutality and oppression of minorities.
Kaepernick’s protest came to light during the 49ers’ third preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on August 26. “We have a lot of people that aren’t treated equally, aren’t given equal opportunities”. The comments ignited a firestorm of controversy with some showing support and others strongly criticizing his decision.
The knee is significant. the QB says he spoke with military vet Nate Boyer before the game and agreed that when it came to his Anthem protest, taking a knee was a better move than sitting.
Former Northwestern State star Jeremy Lane and former LSU star Eric Reid have joined Colin Kaepernick’s protest.
Amid the controversy, Kaepernick’s future with the 49ers is still unclear.
While the performance likely did not knock Blaine Gabbert out of the starter’s spot, it may have solidified him as the team’s No.2 quarterback.
However, the 28-year-old has not commented publicly about those possibilities as the controversy over the anthem has taken a larger position.
Advertisement
“It’s just ridiculous that the same league that prohibits the Dallas (Cowboys) football club from honoring the slain officers in their community with their uniforms stands silent when Kaepernick is dishonoring police officers with what he’s wearing on the field”, Johnson told USA Today.
