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Roger Goodell breaks silence, says he disagrees with Colin Kaepernick

If you want to boycott 49ers games in which Kaepernick plays, or boo and jeer him at the contests, I will stand with you, agreeing with your right to do so, as well as standing with Kaepernick for his right not to stand.

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News of the surge in Kaepernick’s jersey sales was met with a flurry of activity on social media.

Weeks after his silent protest of the USA national anthem led to a slew of think pieces, the back-up quarterback’s No. 7 jersey was the top-seller at NFLShop.com, CBS Sports reported. Carson Wentz of the Eagles, fresh off being named Philly’s starter for Week 1, was hot on Kap’s heels. Because of his activism and recent protest, he now holds the number one National Football League jersey in America.

He has three jerseys more popular than the next 49ers player, Navorro Bowman.

Kaepernick has sat or taken a knee before every 49ers preseason game this season. And that’s what we need more, and that’s what I think football does – it unites our country.

At least two other NFL players have joined his protest against discrimination toward African Americans, as has United States women’s national soccer team star Megan Rapinoe.

Kaepernick explained his initial decision not to stand during the anthem by saying that he wouldn’t “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”. Seattle Seahawk defensive back Jeremy Lane also recently sat during the national anthem.

“I have to wait my time and work”, he said.

I say, good for them.

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“There are a lot of ways you can do it”, Obama said of Kaepernick of speaking out. “So I would like to see us focusing on our similarities and trying to bring people together”. According to the NFL’s official merchandise page, Kaepernick’s red San Francisco 49ers jersey is now the top-selling jersey in their online store. And I know that the only way I can help us get to where racism loses its power in our Nation is for me to listen, respect, and love my friends who have experienced it in their lives. Over the weekend, midfielder Megan Rapinoe, a star for the US women’s national soccer team, knelt during the anthem prior to the match between her Seattle Reign and the Chicago Red Stars.

Watch: Obama Says Kaepernick Is 'Exercising His Constitutional Right To Make A Statement'