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49ers’ Kaepernick claims he has received death threats

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is claiming to have received death threats from a “couple different avenues” over his nation anthem protests.

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“If something like that were to happen, you’ve proved my point”, Kaepernick said, according to the Bay Area News Group, noting he had not brought the threats to security’s attention for that reason. Granted, I don’t want that to happen. “I think the message has been out there loud and clear for quite some time now”.

Kaepernick condemned Friday’s fatal police shooting in Tulsa of Terence Crutcher. So, I think, again, (Kaepernick) is shedding light on the situation that is heinous and shouldn’t happen in this country. According to the athlete, these threats reflect that if something happens to him, then it would prove his point about the racial injustice and violence that’s now plaguing the country.

Other players and teams have joined Kaepernick in his demonstrations by kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem.

Kaepernick hasn’t been standing during the national anthem to show his displeasure with the treatment of African-Americans by police officers.

ESPN is reporting that a poll, conducted by E-Poll Marketing Research, asked 1,100 people from demographics that match the general population across the country to vote for the most disliked player in the league.

When it comes to critics of his protest, and the movement it’s inspired, Kaepernick was blunt in his criticism of those who object to his stance. “That’s part of what we want to make sure we are not allowing to happen when making donations”. “But I think until I can feel like I’m being more effective in other ways, then this seems appropriate to me”.

Kaepernick, who spoke for about 12 minutes with reporters, said that he has heard racial slurs since starting his protest.

The quarterback’s willingness to be an example to young people of color is commendable, even if he’s preaching to the choir about police reform.

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Meanwhile, he said he would donate $1m (£770,000) to local communities over the next 10 months. “It’s not right that they’re not put in a position to succeed or given those opportunities to succeed”.

Colin Kaepernick #7 and Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel in protest during the national anthem