San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick says he has received death threats after he made the controversial decision not to stand up and sing while the national anthem was played as a form of protest for racial inequality in the U.S.
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“To me, if something like that were to happen, you’ve proved my point and it’ll be loud and clear to everyone why it happened”, Kaepernick told reporters in comments obtained by CSN Bay Area. I think the message has been out there loud and clear for quite some time now.
This was an issue Kaepernick touched upon again Tuesday in discussing the death of Terrence Crutcher, an unarmed black man, who was gunned down by police in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Friday. “It will be very telling about what happens to the officer that killed him”.
His actions have sparked outrage and debate across the country about racial injustice in the US.
Other players and teams have joined Kaepernick in his demonstrations by kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem. “I don’t want to go as far as to say people care more about the flag than their fellow man, but it seems like it”.
The quarterback said he had anticipated the backlash before he embarked on his protest. He added a little more about the progress on that front Tuesday, saying he intends to donate $100,000 per week over the next 10 weeks to the organizations he chooses to work with.
While Kaepernick said he knew the backlash that might come with his protest, he is keeping his focus on the many athletes and people around the country offering support.
Numerous high school sports teams have developed their own version of the protest. “I think as the conversations continue in these communities, more and more solutions are going to come up as to how to fix this as quickly as possible”.
“I understand that he has an Islamic girlfriend that is his fiancée and that this has changed him and has taken on some different political views along the way”, King said.
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Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to media during a press conference after a 31-21 preseason win over the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on September 1, 2016 in San Diego, California. “I think that’s important and ultimately the goal”. On Tuesday, he said he will donate $100,000 every month for the next 10 months to different organizations, with a website being created to track how the money is used. I don’t know why that is or what they’re scared of, but it needs to be addressed.
