“I have two uncles and friends who are police officers and serve ALL people. So before those socks, which were worn before I took my public stance, are used to distract from the real issues, I wanted to address this immediately”.
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So a few hours before Thursday’s exhibition game, they agreed on a silent protest that might not be viewed as divisive as retreating to the bench and sitting during the playing of the national anthem. Working against San Diego’s defensive backups and with San Francisco’s second-team offense, it wasn’t the type of performance that should win Kaepernick the starting job, but it was enough to show that there is still a drop-off from Kaepernick to backups Jeff Driskel and Christian Ponder.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit for the national anthem as protest against police brutality (which he’s done the entire preseason but didn’t draw notice until last week) has drawn national debate, but Thursday night’s games demonstrated that the movement is spreading.
“I am planning to take it a step further, I’m now working with organizations to be involved, and making sure I’m actively in these communities”, Kaepernick said.
On Thursday, photos of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback wearing practice socks, which depict cops as pigs, surfaced on social media.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick continued his stance of refusing to stand during the United States national anthem.
Kaepernick didn’t play in the current preseason until last week against Green Bay, when his refusal to stand for the anthem first gained attention. “I’ve never had to deal with prejudice because of the color of my skin, and for me to say I can relate to what you’ve gone through is as ignorant as someone who’s never been in a combat zone telling me they understand what it’s like to go to war”.
Kaepernick was photographed Wednesday wearing socks that displayed cartoon pigs wearing police hats. “The fact that it has blown up like this, I think it’s a good thing”.
“We were talking to him about how can we get the message back on track and not take away from the military, not take away from pride in our country but keep the focus on what the issues really are”, Kaerpnick told ESPN.
The hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick began trending earlier in the week with service men and women expressing solidarity for his choice to exercise the rights that they fight for him to have.
Although head coach, Chip Kelly, previously said there hasn’t been any talk about cutting him, it hasn’t halted speculations that Kaepernick wants to create distractions in an effort to force the team to let him go.
Lane has not met Kaepernick.
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That crowd also blasted Kaepernick with thunderous boos throughout the contest, especially when he trotted onto the field for the first snap of the game. Christian Ponder, who entered the game in the third quarter, scored two rushing touchdowns and the 49ers won, 31-21.
