“And once we admit that we can deal with it, we can fix them and we can make this country and these communities a better place”.
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“We have cops that are murdering people”.
Kaepernick’s protest – for which he has cited issues ranging from police brutality to treatment of veterans – began a week ago before the 49ers took on the Packers. Amid his burgeoning social activism, he is also fighting for a roster spot and attempting to regain the starting job that he lost last season.
But against the Chargers, Kaepernick took 34 offensive snaps – the most since his injury and shoulder surgeries.
“I don’t personally feel oppressed, but there are things that have happened in this country that have touched very close to home for me – the situation in Louisiana”, Reid said. “If he wants to do something, go to some outreach program where he can do some good”. So I think that’s big of him, very big of him.
Lane said that he will continue to sit until he feels as if “justice is being served”. “That is not the way to do it”. A sign in the crowd read: “You’re an American”. “He said he appreciated it”. Lane said he intends to keep sitting for the anthem.
Prior to Thursday night’s game, Kaepernick’s future with the 49ers appeared to be up in the air.
Kaepernick became the focus of national attention last week, when he refused to stand during the national anthem before a preseason game. Ultimately, they chose to kneel rather than sit during their protest of national anthem in attempt to also show support for servicemen being honored during the Chargers’ 28th annual Salute to the Military game. Only this time, per Reid’s suggestion, Kaepernick did not sit quietly on the bench. I talked to him, and he has a plan going forward. I just did it.
“As far as taking a knee tonight, Eric [Reid] – as well as myself – had a long conversation with Nate Boyer, who is a military vet”, he added. Boyer wrote an open letter this week in support of Kaepernick’s stance to get people talking about the issues. “This is what America should be all about”.
He stood and cheered during “God Bless America”, and clapped when military members were honored at the game.
Though he was not received well by Chargers fans.
While some have criticised Kaepernick, calling him unpatriotic and disrespectful of those willing to die for their country, other in the military have pledged their support online using the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick.
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Kaepernick took a different tack during that game by taking a knee during “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
