San Francisco, CA – National League quarterback Colin Kaepernick of San Francisco 49ers refused to stand for the national anthem before a preseason game on Friday, drawing boos from some fans and criticism on social media, but his team said it backed his right to protest.
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Kaepernick, a former starter who led San Francisco to the 2013 Super Bowl but has since been demoted to backup, said he sat on the bench during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to make a statement about racial injustice in the United States.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick later told NFL Media in an article posted on Saturday. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”
Kaepernick appeared to be referring to police use of deadly force, which has come under increased criticism in recent years as incidents have been captured on cellphone video.
He said he was prepared for rejection by the public and did not warn anyone of his plans.
“If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right,” Kaepernick said.
When Kaepernick came into the game at the team’s home stadium in Santa Clara, California, fans greeted him with boos and cheers.
The team, which has unsuccessfully tried to trade Kaepernick to another team since his demotion, issued a statement of support after the game.
“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony,” the team said. “In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”
Social media was less forgiving. While some Twitter users supported his right to free speech, the feed of sports website Busted Coverage, which has 70,000 followers, called him “an idiot.”
“Colin Kaepernick can get the hell out of our country. No respect for this guy,” said Tyler Nelson, who calls himself a Carolina Panthers fan with 134 followers.
Athletes have long used their fame to make political statements, as typified by the Olympic sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos holding up their fists in a black power salute during a medals ceremony in 1968.
Two seasons ago, players on the NFL’s St. Louis Rams entered the stadium for a home game with their hands raised, a reference to the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” slogan adopted by protesters in demonstrations against the shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri.
Stop doing criminal things and if being arrested don’t resist so u wont get killed,
Btw more blacks getting killed from blacks then from police officers
He’s definitely not a team player and doesn’t belong on the team after being disrespectful of our flag.
They should take away his uniform!! Suspend him for the rest of the season no pay!!
But you don’t mind living in this country and making millions for throwing a piece of pigskin across a field? Love it or leave it, loser!
would it not be interesting if the 49ers had a game and no one attended the game.
If this country isn’t good enough maybe the people in the country are not worth it either, so why spend your money on something that does not appreciate you or the country that is giving them millions in salaries.
Oppresses people of color???? This farshultina farshtinkina shucher is playing a game in our country and making MILLIONS doing it and he thinks we oppress people of color????? Sounds like his momma didn’t beat him hard enough!
What is the nationality of this piece of garbage?
What a deadbeat! This guy was a sack machine last season. The only people who are being oppressed here are 49er fans.
he should be removed from playing until he shows he support the country that gives him liberty and freedom.
U could let hear your opinion (as if someone cares) but u still have to respect our National Anthem by not standing up YOU are a disgrace, i would of suspend u in complete so u could sit all the games
Everyone needs to know that this guy of color was thrown to the curb by his mother and was raised by a Caucasian loving family!! Wondering how they feel???
This reminds me of the 1968 Olympics. Obama has set us back 50 years in race relations.