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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He received death threats via “a couple of different avenues”, other than social media and said he didn’t alert 49ers security or law enforcement officials. “It’s not something I haven’t thought about”, he said.
Kaepernick spoke to a handful of reporters Tuesday in a 15-minute chat that started out as an informal conversation about vegan weightlifting supplements and turned serious when Kaepernick began speaking about police shooting and killing Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Friday. “It will be very telling about what happens to the officer that killed him”.
“There’s a lot of racism disguised as patriotism in this country and people don’t like to address that and they don’t like to address what the root of this protest is”, Kaepernick said. “And people want to take everything back to the flag, but that’s not what we’re talking about”.
He has since kneeled during the anthem in protest of what he calls racial inequalities and injustices taking place in America, including police-related violence.
Kaepernick has been joined in his protests by a growing list of fellow players and the Seattle Seahawks engaged in a teamwide show of unity.
Kaepernick intends to go through with his plan to donate $1 million to local communities.
“I’ve had a few come my way, but not too concerned about it”, he said during a locker room interview, reports The Mercury News. Two years ago, only 16 percent of African-Americans said they liked Kaepernick “a lot”, while 3 percent disliked him “a lot”.
“The way this world is going right now, nothing better not happen to Colin Kaepernick”, Smith said.
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.
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Former 49ers star Jerry Rice has changed his stance on Kaepernick. “That’s ultimately the goal”.
