And unbeknownst to Kaepernick at the time, Jeremy Lane, a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, sat during the national anthem before the Seahawks’ game against the Oakland Raiders.
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Kaepernick, who has pledged to donate $1 million to community organizations, has received lots of support from veterans for taking a stand. “When there’s significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand”.
“I am planning to take it a step further”, said Kaepernick.
Kaepernick, who is thought to be fighting for a roster spot under new coach Chip Kelly, led the 49ers on an 16-play touchdown drive on the opening series.
“The 49ers are allowing this to come out from an employee and it’s making for a hostile work environment for us at the stadium”, Saunders said. “It was wonderful”, Kaepernick told ESPN. “In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem”.
“I’m very happy, I’m very proud of him for doing that, ” Kaepernick said after the 49ers’ 31-21 victory over the Chargers in a preseason game.
Now that it has become a national story, if not for the reasons Kaepernick intended, you know every camera on during a national anthem performance is going to lock in on the 49ers quarterback.
While negative reactions have been strong, Kaepernick also has been widely praised for his commitment to his stance.
“The media painted this as I’m anti-American, anti-men-and-women of the military and that’s not the case at all, ” Kaepernick said. “It’s not right that they’re not put in a position to succeed or given those opportunities to succeed”.
“I think what I did was taken out of context and spun a different way”. Teammate Eric Reid joined him in the gesture for Thursday night’s game between the 49ers and San Diego Chargers.
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Kaepernick pledges to donate the first $1 million he makes this season to communities that help people.
