Speaking in China after a gathering of leaders of 20 leading economies, Obama said he did not doubt Kaepernick’s sincerity in making the protest but acknowledged it was hard for some to swallow.
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President Obama on Monday threw the quarterback some support when he said that it was Kaepernick’s constitutional right to kneel during The Star Spangled Banner.
But I don’t doubt his sincerity, based on what I’ve heard.
“I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about”, the president said.
Tim Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, told ABC News that Kaepernick’s rationale “didn’t really make that much sense to me” but supported his right to protest.
Kaepernick has been heavily criticized since starting his silent protest to bring attention to racial injustice.
Kaepernick, who is biracial and was adopted by white parents, first created an uproar August 26 when he remained seated before the 49ers’ exhibition game with the Green Bay Packers.
Kaepernick has said he will continue to sit out the national anthem until he sees improvements in USA race relations.
Obama didn’t encourage standing for the playing of the national anthem, but signaled that others might not respect Kaepernick’s move.
Sales of Kaepernick’s jersey have soared since he began his protest, according to an ESPN report over the weekend that cited “a source with knowledge of sales numbers”.
“I think it’s actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way a lot of media has covered it and made it about something it actually isn’t”, Rapinoe said.
Many Americans have denounced the gesture as a sign of disrespect to the flag, although he has drawn support from some people, including some fellow players. “My dad used to say, ‘I may disagree with everything you say, but I’ll fight to the death for your right to say it.’ Mr. Kaepernick has every right to be wrong _ but he’s completely in the wrong”.
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‘My suspicion is that over time he’s going to refine how he thinks about it and maybe some of his critics will start seeing that he has a point, ‘ the president said. Kaepernick’s teammate Eric Reid and soccer star Megan Rapinoe took a knee while the national anthem was performed before their games.
