Kaepernick was also greeted with profanities and obscene gestures as he left the field after pregame warmups.
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The silent protest was met with a scattered boos and angry shouts, while one sign in the crowd read: “You’re an American”. He stood and cheered during “God Bless America”, and clapped when military members were honored at the game. Reid, a fourth-year safety with San Francisco, knelt next to Kaepernick before the 49ers preseason game against San Diego.
“I’m not anti-American; I love America; I love people”, Kaepernick said at another fascinating news conference late Thursday, adding that he will donate $1 million to groups that aide communities in need.
During a Thursday, September 1, game, Kaepernick, 28, and Reid, 24, declined to stand up or place their hands over their hearts as “The Star-Spangled Banner” was performed. “I love people”, Kaepernick continued. I have to help these communities.
On Thursday, Seahawks cornerback Lane, 26, followed Kaepernick’s example when he didn’t stand up for the national anthem during a game in Oakland, California.
After cameras found Kaepernick glued to the bench, he explained to reporters that he felt a responsibility to take some kind action against racial injustice in America. “I thought about it about a week or so…”
“More than anything, I think he’s looking for some advice and someone to bounce ideas off of, maybe a mentor in some ways”, Boyer said. “I don’t mean any disrespect to anybody”.
Maybe you don’t like his tactics, feel he is being disrespectful to what this country stands for – or, at least, is supposed to stand for.
Kaepernick, who led San Francisco to the 2013 Super Bowl but has since been demoted to backup, has said he would not show pride in the flag of a country that oppresses people of color, citing police brutality. The comments ignited a firestorm of controversy with some showing support and others strongly criticizing his decision. And not take away from the military, but keep the focus on what the issues really are. “And we were talking to him about, how can we get the message back on track?” He was injured and missed much of last season and has only played in two exhibition games this year.
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Representatives for Kaepernick and the 49ers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
