According to ABC News, Kaepernick, who was making his preseason debut, said he didn’t ask the team for permission before deciding to sit out the national anthem.
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Colin Kaepernick has lived in headlines over the last week because of his protest of the National Anthem before 49ers preseason games.
This comes after Kaepernick announced last week that he’s putting his money where his mouth is by donating million to groups combatting racial inequality and police brutality. I wasn’t expecting my jersey sales to jump to number one because of this, but it shows the people’s belief that we can achieve justice and equality for ALL!
Asked by The Associated Press about Kaepernick’s decision not to stand before games when the national anthem is played, Goodell says: “I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don’t live in a flawless society”. “On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL”.
“I’m aware of all the issues, but my question is how come he didn’t do it previous year or how come you didn’t do it when you first entered the NFL?”
“I haven’t. I have great respect for the religion, know a lot of people that are Muslim and are phenomenal people”, Kaepernick said. “And we can make this country better, and that they believe I was someone who could help that change”.
In coordination with his protest, Kaepernick had previously said he will donate $1 million to various causes. Now Kaepernick is the second-string quarterback in San Francisco, and his image has taken a hit because of his ongoing protest of not standing for the national anthem.
As a result of his protest, Kaepernick’s jersey began to sell off the rack.
The 49ers open up their season on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams.
Forbes says 49er teammate Eric Reid kneeled with Kaepernick at a preseason game on September 1.
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It remains to be seen how many will join Kaepernick, Eric Reid, Jeremy Lane, and Megan Rapinoe in taking a seat, but vocal support seems to be growing. We’ve seen social activism in the National Basketball Association, so it would not surprise me to see some players joining in.
