WATCH: 49ers Fans Torch Jerseys After QB Colin Kaepernick’s Anthem Protest

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Pedestrian TV

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Civil rights protesters, take note: if you want to draw huge amounts of attention to your cause, do it at an American football game, preferably as the national anthem is being played. Being San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick probably doesn’t hurt, either.

Before this morning’s pre-season loss against the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick remained seated as the anthem played, later explaining “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.”

His comments come after several tumultuous months of race relations in the United States, including the deaths of several black men at the hands of the police, and the killing of five Dallas police officers at a Black Lives Matter protest last month.
“To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way,” Kaepernick said. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

His stance has already drawn severe condemnation from some corners. A cursory glance of his Twitter reveals torrents of abuse, and some disgusted fans have even started burning his jersey in counter-protest.

Regardless, the bloke says that’s something he prepared for. The player contended “if they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.”
His protest has already gained mass support too, and those in the QB’s corner have even made some hefty comparisons:

FWIW, the 49ers backroom has issued a statement on the matter, saying “players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem,” and a coach has re-affirmed Kaepernick’s “right as a citizen” to stay planted as The Star-Spangled Banner plays.
Back in 2014, a cadre of NBA superstars donned “I can’t breathe” shirts after the death of Eric Garner. With Kaepernick’s protest, it seems that sick-and-tired sentiment has now made its way from the court to the field.

Caption this…..

A photo posted by colin kaepernick (@kaepernick7) on


Source: ABC News / NFL.

Photo: Twitter.

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