Update: After setting social media ablaze Thursday, Colin Kaepernick explained the reason why he wore socks, which depicted police as pigs, during a San Francisco 49ers’ practice early last month.
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Kaepernick reportedly wore the cops-as-pigs footwear during practice on August 10 and August 12-so he was actually wearing them before the national anthem strike became national news-but after the socks went viral on Thursday, he released a statement on Instagram to explain his fashion choice.
Do they shed some light on his feelings about police, regardless of whether he has friends and uncles who are police officers?
We do want to dispel the false reports circulating that Kaepernick’s roster spot could be in danger due to the $19 million guaranteed he’d be awarded if an injury ended his season or career with the 49ers, which is addressed here.
He first made headlines when he refused to stand during the national anthem before a game on Friday in protest of the treatment of people of color in the United States, prompting intense debate around the country.
“When there’s significant change and I feel like the flag represents what it’s supposed to represent in this country, I’ll stand”, he told reporters Sunday.
Kaepernick wasn’t earnestly booed in San Diego until he took the field to start the game for the 49ers, immediately leading them on a 16-play, 85-yard touchdown drive against the hometown team.
“To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way”, he said. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder”.
In Philadelphia, a rookie linebacker named Myke Tavarres initialy said he’d followed Kaepernick’s lead and sit during the national anthem before a game against the Jets.
Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, told USA TODAY Sports the socks are “disrespectful”.
Kaepernick has said his protest will continue indefinitely.
Kaepernick issued a statement on Twitter on Thursday after photos began circulating on social media of him wearing the socks that show a pig dressed in a police hat. “We talked about issues that are taking place in this country and how to prompt change but I also reminded him the great freedoms and luxuries we have in America”.
Up the coast in Oakland, Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sat during the national anthem before Seattle’s game against the Raiders.
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In contrast, during the singing of “God Bless America”, Kaepernick stood and applauded.
