Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field during warm ups at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jan. 12, 2014.
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As part of his six-year, 4,000,000 deal with the 49ers, Kaepernick’s base salary this year is $11.9 million dollars.
ESPN reported that after a conversation with Nate Boyer and Eric Reid on Thursday, he decided it would be more appropriate to take a knee during the anthem instead.
Of course, there were boos when Kaepernick played Thursday night, but that’s to be expected from those who consider themselves patriotic, even though people in the military are supposedly protecting people’s rights, which include the right to protest. He said after the game it was an effort to shift focus back to why he sat in the first place: issues of racial injustice.
“As we talked about it, we came up with taking a knee, because there are issues that still need to be addressed”.
He said that while Lane’s choice was an individual one, the team has supported the individuals that make up their roster.
“I am planning to take it a step further, I’m now working with organizations to be involved, and making sure I’m actively in these communities”, Kaepernick said.
“It’s something I plan on keep on doing, until I feel like justice is being served”.
The team reiterated Friday night that it stands behind Kaepernick and respects his right not to participate in celebrating the national anthem. “For you to really go and show police officers in that way is disgusting”, he said. Lane said he doesn’t know Kaepernick well.
“I think he took a step forward today”, Boyer said. The NFL released a statement saying that players are encouraged but not required to stand during the national anthem.
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.
In an attempt to tone down some of the anger directed toward him, Kaepernick announced the donation and also was set to joined long-time community activist Rev. Amos Brown at a church service at San Francisco’s 3rd Baptist Church on Sunday.
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His protests, which he took one week ago and again on Thursday (1 September), have drawn criticism and support from across the United States, in a year when the treatment of black people at the hands of U.S. police forces has been under the spotlight.
