Colin Kaepernick used his platform to raise awareness for social injustice in the United States by protesting the national anthem in the San Francisco 49ers preseason matchup against the Green Bay Packers yesterday.
The quarterback sat while “Star Spangled Banner” played before kickoff. He explained his statement of protest to the NFL after the game.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” he said. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
You can see Kaepernick seated on the bench at the bottom of this photo from sports reporter Jennifer Chan.
The San Francisco 49ers released a statement about their star player’s actions, saying he has the right to express his beliefs according to the American Constitution.
“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony,” the team says. “It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. 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.”
The NFL shared a similar sentiment.
“Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem,” the league said in its own statement.
This comes after Carmelo Anthony took to Instagram to spur on his fellow athletes to take a stand against injustices in the wake of recent shootings by police, the presidential race and other strifes in the country.
Many in Hip Hop voiced their support for Kaepernick, including OG Maco, Ne-Yo and Daye Jack. Bas thanked Kaepernick and Anthony for their leadership in the sports community and Dreamvile’s president Ibrahim Hamad also showed his solidarity.
Check out all the reactions to Colin Kaepernick’s protest of the National Anthem below.
Stop showing Shaun King’s Blackfacing mug. Man stole money from BLM anyways.
Seriously HHDX, he’s a fraud. Stole money from the church he was a pastor of too.
He also wrote this: https://medium.com/@ShaunKing/a-complete-accounting-of-every-dollar-raised-by-shaun-king-throughout-the-black-lives-matter-fba726f6d8af#.yz6on08vj
Fuck you too, racist piece of shit
Trent Clark hates himself..
My bad man. That reply was meant for Trent Clark The Racist. I hit the wrong button. Deepest apologies
Go ahead and sit down you irrelevant fucking bi-racial piece of shit. You suck and your team sucks. No wonder why people hate you, you disrespectful fucking no talent waste of space. Your white mother should have swallowed your black father’s load. Get used to sitting down…that bench needs some warming Mr. 3rd String QB
Sit down for Blaine Fucking Gabbert, nigga
This stunt proves how foolish many people are these days. This absolute, complete fraud, is a millionaire. He is someone who is well known. He is way more privileged than the large majority of Americans and more powerful than most. He has the ability and the health to try to make a difference in whatever he feels is an injustice. However, what does he do about his strong discontent for this country?? He sits down……… Accomplishing absolutely NOTHING. Nothing more than a publicity stunt from a has been quarterback, doing what he can to stay relevant. Pitiful attempt at trying to show he’s “down for a cause”. Yet, the sheep aka those twitter quotes, fall for it hook, line, and sinker. We are in sad times, for real.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the divided states of Amerikkka an to the PACs for which it stands one nation at odds divisible with liberty an justice for some….. B the change
Kaepernick sucks he had do something to stay in the spotlight because his skills aren’t going to do it .
I didn’t even realize this fucking idiot still played at all, he went to complete shit sooo fast.
Hey devil honkies! Are you not entertained?? Hahaha these racist ass white people get mad when a brother in a good position takes a stand! Salute to Kaepernick for his bravery in the face of them racist devils! #FuckWhiteSupremacy