Posted on 08/27/2016 3:23:25 PM PDT by Rennes Templar
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is refusing to stand for the national anthem before games because he believes the United States oppresses African Americans and other minorities.
Kaepernick sat on the team's bench Friday night during the anthem before the Niners played host to the Green Bay Packers in an exhibition game. He later explained his reasoning in an interview with NFL Media .
''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 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.''
The 49ers issued a statement after Pro Football Talk initially reported on Kaepernick's stand, saying that Americans have the right to protest or support the anthem.
''The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame ceremony,'' the team said. ''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.''
Kaepernick, who is biracial, was adopted and raised by white parents. He has been outspoken on his Twitter account on civil rights issues and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Kaepernick is not the first U.S.-based athlete to use the anthem for protest. In 1996, NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the anthem, saying the United States had a history of tyranny and doing so would conflict with his Islamist beliefs.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
“I really wonder is Kaepernick doing this to get himself cut from the team....”
He’s washed up anyway IMHO. His best days are behind him.
If you are going to protest, at least base it on facts and not a propagandized narrative served up by the media. He seems to firmly believe that white cops are just driving around randomly shooting black guys simply because they are black.
If the killing of black people bothers him, he should be addressing his 'brothers in da hood'(where he has never set foot) who are responsible for 97% of the murders of black people. Not likely to happen though.
He would have a nice smile,
if he were a JackO’Lantern.
No problem. Give him a free ticket to any country he chooses and remove his American citizenship.
Sounds like a description of our brave, young POTUS
We oppress Blacks????....he is multiracial and makes 30-40 million dollars per year....I should be so oppressed and I am white!!!!
You have never been to a game in Green Bay or Indianapolis....guaranteed!!!!
Well, I’m just “one” person, but this is one person that will switch the channel if San Francisco is playing. Damn, there’s not going to be anything left to do but read books if this keeps up!
” he is a representative of the 49’s”
And a contractual employee of the NFL as well.
Not surprised. I think it’s only a mandatory custom for US citizens, not third world communists or sympathizers.
and his supposed muzzie "black" girlfriend....she's also not all black but half white...straight hair...
and gee Kap...doesn't she dress just a bit too provocatively for your creepy stone age "relgion"???
sponsorships should be pulled...
I have been done with professional “ball” sports for many, many, years. The majority of the participants are nothing more than thugs. For supposedly college educated, many of them can barely speak coherently, let alone in English.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses . . .”
First disrespect for the Confederate flag. Now, open contempt for the U. S. flag. That was the game plan all along. Next: destruction of the Jefferson and Washington memorials. Then the Lincoln memorial.
...and yet he plays under that same flag. Collects his salary under that same flag...far more than I have ever made. And takes advantage of that same flag and what it has made possible for him and many more like him when it suits him.
The man is a scheister and a liar...and at heart, a coward.
Suspension is the least he should get IMHO.
He has to get them talking about anything but his performance on the field....
With all the gruesome tats, he seems to have a self hate issue.
“Don’t suspend him. Just Boo him everfy time he appears. That’s worse”
He’s lost his job as starter and probably won’t be appearing much. That’s probably the real reason his panties are in a wad
During the off-season Colin Kaepernick converted to Islam
All owners of SF49’r #7 jerseys should have a parking lot bonfire at the season opener.
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