Controversial 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick reportedly did not appear Sunday morning at a San Francisco church where he had been scheduled to speak about his recent protests of racial injustice. I do not stand for the national anthem at sporting events or elsewhere. Yet, even a country that is protected by the best military force is faced by the harsh realities of oppression and racism, as black soldiers and other service individuals of color certainly have endured the systemic institution of racism.
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I will continue to stand because we have the greatest country in the world despite our problems and I have friends and family who have fought and died for our right to protest or not. “But I also took the time to listen to him”. Do I deny Harrison’s comments and call them completely false based on merit? No. “He continues to display that every day he’s been in this building”. He refused to stand during the playing of the anthem in the preseason, though it was only noticed and made national headlines during the 49ers’ third preseason game. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder”.
In July, the deadliest attack on USA law enforcement since September 11, 2001, claimed the lives of five officers by a sniper ambush during a peaceful protest in Dallas.
Protesting in a quiet, unflamboyant way has become Kaepernick’s trademark.
– The NFL’s regular season starts this week. He was also photographed wearing socks depicting pigs in police uniforms.
It was uncertain if the 49ers would keep two or three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster.
It seems unlikely at this point that the 49ers organization will fine or discipline Kaepernick, as the team and the league have noted players are not required to stand for the national anthem. Yeah, that wouldn’t go over well. “I love people. That’s why I’m doing this”, Kaepernick explained. As reported by NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, the quarterback’s lucrative contract is a potential issue for the club, meaning that cutting him would open up cap space to sign other players.
Kaepernick’s reaction to the people of San Diego booing him relentlessly Thursday night included a statement from him saying it is a “misunderstanding”. Even though he was “saddened and angered” by Kaepernick’s words, Chief Michael Sellers assured sports fans there would be no security concerns at any games that the 49ers would play in Levi’s Stadium.
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But he still held out hope that Kaepernick might choose to do the right thing.
