Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt and defensive end Robert Quinn raised their fists throughout the anthem.
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Kaepernick has been making headlines for nearly a month now after he was seen on the sidelines sitting during the playing of the national anthem late last month before a preseason game. He’s not disrespecting people who they’re fighting. To me, you’re telling me that my position as a backup quarterback and being quiet is more important than peoples’ lives.
The protests have not been popular with law enforcers who were broadly categorised by Kaepernick as “getting away with murder”.
Other NFL players such as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters, took on the protest a little differently, raising a gloved fist, similar to Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the medal stand at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
South Park dives into a hot button issue in the show’s latest promo, which makes fun of Colin Kaepernick’s recent refusal to stand during the National Anthem.
Kaepernick was asked about Dilfer’s remarks following the 49ers’ 28-0 shellacking of the Rams on MNF.
NFL Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown and National Basketball Association legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have also shown support for the protest.
The 49ers have said they recognize the right of players to participate, or not. Jones, the Orioles’ nominee for baseball’s Roberto Clemente community service award, defended Kaepernick for taking a stand against social injustice but said he would continue to stand for the anthem.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell commented on the growing protest, saying the league encourages its players to be respectful, “but they also have rights, and we have to respect that”. And the big thing that hit me through all of this was this is a backup quarterback whose job is to be quiet and sit in the shadows and get the starter ready to play Week 1. I would then explain the reasons why most Americans stand for the national anthem and how sitting or kneeling during the anthem may appear to other Americans.
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His decision erupted in controversy- many called the move “un-American” and “disrespectful” to the nation’s flag. A few Steelers’ players also joined on the opposing sideline to hold the flag after the Redskins took part. “I fortunately have the voice, have the reach, and I think it was time for it to be said”.
