Posted on 08/27/2016 7:10:25 AM PDT by 11th_VA
Colin Kaepernick, who has been mired in a quarterback controversy with Blaine Gabbert to see who will lead the 49ers this season, may have sparked a real controversy Friday night.
Kaepernick did not stand for the national anthem before the 49ers preseason game at Levi's Stadium, although the move went unnoticed by most at the time. ProFootballTalk.com reported the story more than an hour after the game, and no reporters asked Kaepernick about it following the 49ers 21-10 loss to the Packers.
But Kaepernick's action prompted the 49ers to issue a statement acknowledging that he sat during the anthem, and defending his right to do so.
The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony," reads the statement. "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.
That stance will not sit well with many fans, however, and Kaepernick is sure to hear the boos in opposing stadiums as the media shines the spotlight on his decision. Was Kaepernick, who has been outspoken on his Twitter account about racial issues in the U.S., making a political statement? Expect to hear much more on this story in the coming days.
Could be interesting and divisive if this spreads to locker rooms and high schools across this country.
Another budding NFL head case.
The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony," reads the statement. "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.
The anthem ... honors our country
We agree with that
But it's OK with us
That a cry-baby enemy we actually pay, sits it out to DIShonor our country.
Am I getting to picky and crotchety in my old age ?
Kaepernick is on his way out. This just makes so the fans care even less about him.
Major a-hole! I was a fan. WAS!!
He’s a punk and frankly not that talented.
He played college ball here in Reno. He was an ass then.
He was always a dick.
Overpaid minstrels. What don’t they know!
I hope he gets piles down to his knees.
Oh, and screw the 49ers for defending him, too.
Attention whore. It’s all about ME !!!!!!
Another reason to pass on NFL. From the overbearing leadership to the players show boating every time they do to do what they are expected to do. And then paid enough to go out and make total asses of themselves.
Rather watch college except they are following very closely behind the antics of NFL.
NO!
Eff the NFL, now and forever.
Indeed we do.
And I hope Kaepernick recognizes that he freely chose this hill to die on and isn't too butthurt when people refuse to celebrate his decision.
We’re not living in the same country that aspired to stand for the rule of law, equality under the law, free markets, free speech etc.
Now that totalitarian communists run this country and most institutions, I can see how it’s difficult to show respect for the national anthem. Sure, the country should be greater than its governmement institutions. But now, the statists have succeeded in overwhelming everyone in the country to the point where every citizen is greatly affected and afflicted by big government.
The flag, national anthem were once time honored symbols of America’s heritage, traditions and values. Now they are increasingly symbols of oppressive totalitarian government. The same thing happened with the symbol of the rainbow. It used to be God’s promise to his people of deliverance and hope after the great flood. Today it symbolizes gay pride.
Perhaps the goal here is to do away with all national symbols by creating disunity in order to clear the path for unity under a globalist banner.
He is such a self centered jerk.
Kiss your tattooed bible verses
I’m A-OK with him sitting on the bench through the Pledge, I’m even more A-OK with him sitting on the bench through every game. Every game.
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