Kaepernick has the right to protest peacefully under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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Scott said it was only coincidence that he wore the Kaepernick jersey the same day he called for greater civilian oversight of the police. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder”.
The 49ers quarterback responded to the ESPN analyst following the team’s win Monday night. He told media that he did so to protest racism and police violence against blacks. Meanwhile, with baseball season still in full swing, no such statement has been made during a game of America’s pastime. As he did in the pre-season, Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem.
Kaepernick sparked debate during the preseason when he sat down during the national anthem.
“We know that there has to be change and progress, but you got to apply direction to change”, he said.
So while racial disparities persist when it comes to team owners in these leagues – no black person has ever owned an NFL team and there are almost no black owners forall three men’s leagues in basketball and football – players can at least protest on the grounds that they know they’re collectively indispensable.
On Sunday, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters, also a black, raised his fist during the national anthem for his team’s home-game season opener against the San Diego Chargers. Their opponents, the Seattle Seahawks, locked arms as they stood. The exact meaning of their gestures was not clear.
Four Miami Dolphins players – Arian Foster, Jelani Jenkins, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills – knelt as the Star Spangled Banner played.
Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall has lost more than one sponsorship for choosing to kneel during the national anthem.
The Constitution of the United States of America allows Kaepernick every opportunity to protest, complain or dispute nearly any social or political perceived wrong within the confines of the law, including not standing for the playing of the national anthem.
If Berman mixed up the two while a replay was being shown that would be one thing.
Shortly after Kaepernick began his protest, he addressed concerns that his decision was disrespectful to the military.
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President Barack Obama has weighed in, saying Kaepernick was exercising a constitutional right and provoking conversation “around some topics that need to be talked about”.
