The United States went into a whirlwind when Dwyane Wade was seen taking a basketball shot a few seconds into the National Anthem, and most recently when USA Gymnast Gabby Douglas didn’t put her hand across her heart during the national Anthem after the women took home gold in the Rio Olympics. Colin Kaepernick decided to take it one step further.
Before the start of Friday’s preseason game vs the Packers, the Niners’ QB decided to literally sit out the National Anthem.
Colin Kaepernick told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche why he didn’t stand up for the National Anthem:
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color, 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.”
Photo shows Colin Kaepernick sitting during the National Anthem.
(? – @jenniferleechan)https://t.co/HNkHKlJLWf pic.twitter.com/I75SSC6fgr
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) August 27, 2016
The 49ers released a statement on the matter, defending their QB:
“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony,” the team said in a statement issued to PFT. “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 to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”
As expected, the fallout on Twitter quite quite strong:
Dear Colin Kaepernick,
Feel free to move to a country whose flag and National Anthem you do like.
Sincerely,
America
— From The Cheap Seats (@Kevin_VFTCS) August 27, 2016
Judging by Colin Kaepernick’s recent retweets, it maybe that Kaepernick is taking a stand against a lot of racial injustice that is going on in the country:
We don’t know how the general public will see Kaepernick taking a stand of his belief and freedom in such a controversial way, but judging by some of the recent tweets, it has many people upset:
If Chip Kelly has any balls, he will release Colin Kaepernick today after that obnoxious jerk refused to stand for the national anthem.
— Angelo Cataldi (@AngeloCataldi) August 27, 2016
Colin Kaepernick didn’t stand for the national anthem and this is the outfit he wore at post game. #Wokepernick pic.twitter.com/H830rOI6eQ
— Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) August 27, 2016
Colin Kaepernick is a joke. The only football news he can make is by not standing during the National Anthem.
— Caine Gardner (@cainegardner) August 27, 2016
Easy way to make sure you’re NOT the starting QB on opening day. #Sept11https://t.co/DyQrIOGGO5
— Matthew Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) August 27, 2016
Colin Kaepernick explained his reasoning on not standing for the National Anthem to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche:
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color, 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.”
