The game also coincided with “Salute the Military night”, which saw 240 sailors, Marines and soldiers present a USA flag and a pre-game parachute jump by retired Navy SEALS.
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Also on Thursday night, Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane didn’t stand for the anthem ahead of a game in Oakland. I have two uncles and friends who are police officers and work to protect and serve ALL people.
Kaepernick, 28, had pledged to continue sitting during the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before National Football League games, a move that has been both criticized and cheered by commentators.
Many people are offended by this and see it as anti-police.
The 49ers, who unsuccessfully tried to trade Kaepernick since his demotion, have supported his protest, as have many others, including NFL Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown and National Basketball Association legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But you don’t sit during the presenting of the colors, and you don’t sit during the national anthem.
Each executive said he believes Kaepernick will likely get released by the 49ers-and never play in the National Football League again.
However, Kaepernick had company this time as he knelt on the sideline with teammate Eric Reid, who’s been supportive of Kaepernick’s controversial boycott. “I don’t like that he is sitting during the national anthem, but I appreciate what he is standing for”. Boyer, who wrote a conciliatory open letter to Kaepernick earlier this week, had a long conversation with the quarterback about his stance this week.
At halftime the Chargers recognized six Vietnam War veterans as a remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the war.
Powell returned to the field at the start of the third quarter to sing “God Bless America”. “I found it a little disrespectful given I have family in the military”, said Luis Lozano, 49ers’ fan. When the Chargers’ public-address announcer asked fans to recognize active military personnel during a timeout, the quarterback stood and enthusiastically applauded along with his teammates and the entire stadium.
While negative reaction to the quarterback has been strong, Kaepernick also has been widely praised for his commitment to his stance. Photos of the socks have gone viral on social media today. Veterans and military members tweeted their support for Kaepernick in recent days under the hashtag “VeteransForKaepernick”.
Kaepernick’s post hasn’t done much to stop an onslaught of criticism from the law enforcement community.
If he is indeed released from the Niners, he would dedicate his career to social activism.
The San Francisco 49ers will play their final preseason game Thursday night in San Diego against the Chargers at 10 p.m. ET.
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On Tuesday, 49ers head coach Chip Kelly said that he will rest quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who is the presumptive favorite to be named the starter for Week 1.
