NFL athlete Colin Kaepernick rose to national prominence last week for his political choice to remain seated during the national anthem at a preseason game.
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On Thursday night, after a victorious preseason game against the San Diego Chargers, Kaepernick told reporters he planned to give the first $1 million he earns this year to unnamed community organizations.
It was the second straight game that Kaepernick refused to stand up for the national anthem in what the quarterback said was a response to strained race relations in America and, specifically, police brutality against African Americans. Some people aren’t given the same rights or opportunities as others.
Sports’ Tom Pelissero gives his thoughts on Colin Kaepernick’s National Anthem protest and whether that will endanger his spot on the San Francisco 49ers roster. And unbeknownst to Kaepernick at the time, Jeremy Lane, a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, sat during the national anthem before the Seahawks’ game against the Oakland Raiders.
“I’m prepared for it”, said Lane.
Citing the high rates of suicide amongst U.S. military veterans, Kaepernick added: “This country will let those vets go and fight the war for them but when they come back they won’t do anything to try to help them”.
Kaepernick said his cause would not detract from his role on the 49ers.
Kaepernick, who has pledged to donate $1 million to community organizations, has received lots of support from veterans for taking a stand.
In an attempt to tone down some of the anger directed toward him, Kaepernick announced the donation and also was set to joined long-time community activist Rev. Amos Brown at a church service at San Francisco’s 3rd Baptist Church on Sunday.
Reid added that Kaepernick was being “very fearless”, a nod to both the quarterback’s cause, and his willingness to alter his stance to more properly honor the military.
“And that came off as more respectful to the country, to the anthem, to the military”. “People thought it was disrespectful for him to sit down. He loves this country so much that he’s trying to bring attention to things that need to be fixed”. The decision took on added significance, as it was “Salute to the Military” night in San Diego, the home one of the largest Navy bases in America.
“I think that’s something that’s hard for this country to address, is what the real issues are”. “Once again, I’m not anti-American”, Kaepernick said after the game.
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When asked if he will continue to kneel, Reid said, “I think I will”.
