Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to media September 1, 2016, after a 31-21 preseason win over the San Diego Chargers in San Diego.
Advertisement
Kaepernick, who kneeled with teammate Eric Reid during the playing of the national anthem before the 49ers game at San Diego Thursday night, is refusing to stand during the anthem to protest what he said was racial injustice and oppression of people of color in the United States.
Kaepernick cited police brutality against minorities as a reason for his protest in which he did not stand for the “Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the 49ers preseason game against the Green Bay Packers last Friday. Kaepernick had previously sat through the National Anthem, but he chose to kneel on Thursday. Boyer joined the 49ers on the sidelines during the anthem at Kaepernick’s invitation.
“The message is that we have a lot of issues in this country that we need to deal with”, Kaepernick said.
Kaepernick plans to continue his protest of the National Anthem, but has opted to begin kneeling as opposed to sitting to help soften the perceived disrespect of the country and its military personnel.
Kaepernick remained on the field in San Diego for 15 minutes after the game ended and his teammates went to the locker room, signing dozens of autographs and posing for selfies with Niners fans.
Before the game, they spoke with National Football League long snapper Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret who wrote an open letter to Kaepernick following the quarterback’s decision to sit down during the anthem last Friday. “I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from”.
“I believe there are issues in this country, many issues, too many to name”. He posted a photo of the two on Twitter with a caption reading, “Let’s just keep moving forward”.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sits as the national anthem plays before his preseason game against Oakland. Reid, who wasn’t in uniform for the game, had been publicly supportive of Kaepernick’s stance.
Later, Kaepernick said the encouragement he heard was especially meaningful because of the people from which it came.
Kaepernick also addressed the socks he wore weeks ago that had a pig cartoon dressed as a cop.
Advertisement
“I’ve been very blessed to be in this position and to be able to make the kind of money I do”, Colin said.
