Since Aug. 10, Kaepernick has been taking the practice field wearing socks patterned with pigs in cop hats, CBS Sports reports. But the social media outrage got even louder on Thursday when the socks that Kaepernick wore at practice earlier this month were revealed.
Advertisement
“To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way”, he told Wyche.
The game on Thursday night is significant because it is military appreciation night and billed as a tribute to “hundreds of thousands of current and retired military personnel who live and work in San Diego”. Kaepernick said last week his refusal to stand during the anthem was in protest of racial injustice and minority oppression. It’s expected he’ll do the same Thursday night against the San Diego Chargers.
It wasn’t just the two San Francisco players choosing not to stand this week.
As the “Star Spangled Banner” was sung by a Navy officer before the National Football League exhibition game between the 49ers and Chargers, Kaepernick and 49ers safety Eric Reid both knelt on one knee on the sideline.
“Protesting is EVERY Americans right. regardless of what for”, one veteran tweeted. “So before these socks, which were worn before I took my public stance, are used to distract from the real issues, I wanted to address this immediately”. Prior to the game, 240 people serving in various branches of the Armed Forces are scheduled to present the Colors.
When asked if he had worn the money socks on goal that day, Kaepernick said, “To be honest, one of my friends gave them to me, I think”. He sat on the bench while the rest of his teammates stood for the anthem.
He later said he would continue to sit as, “ultimately it’s to bring awareness and make people realize what’s really going on in this country”.
Advertisement
Oh, by the way, Kaepernick did stand during a rendition of “God Bless America” before the start of the fourth quarter and clapped afterward.
