49ers QB Colin Kaepernick sits down during the national anthem:
'I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that
oppresses Black people'
Colin Kaepernick decided to take a stand by sitting down.
The 49ers quarterback did not stand with the rest of his teammates during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner Friday night before a preseason game against the Packers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
"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 told Steve Wyche of NFL Media. "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 NFL does not require players to stand for the anthem.
Gabby Douglas draws ire for not pledging allegiance to the flag
"Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem," an NFL spokesperson told the Daily News.
The 49ers issued a statement about Kaepernick's decision.
"The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony," the 49ers said, via Pro Football Talk. "It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as 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 28-year-old quarterback knows he is taking a big risk.
"This is not something that I am going to run by anybody," Kaepernick told Wyche. "I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right."
Ex-Giants running back Tiki Barber responded to Kaepernick's stance via Twitter.
"Kaep is using his platform & brand to make a compelling & polarizing point, which is his right, even if it's met with ire! #idontagree"
SEE IT: Usain Bolt pauses mid-interview for U.S. National Anthem
Former Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended by then-NBA commissioner David Stern for one game in 1996 for his refusal to stand for the national anthem. He eventually agreed to stand, but he looked down, kept his eyes closed and said a Muslim prayer during the anthem. Abdul-Rauf called the American flag a symbol of "oppression and tyranny."
Kaepernick, who played Friday night for the first time in nine months due to a shoulder injury that ultimately required multiple surgeries, is competing with Blaine Gabbert for the 49ers starting gig. He sat out the first two preseason games with a sore shoulder.
He completed just 2 of 6 passes and generated one first down on three drives.
I wish we had done a little bit more but it was good to get out there and get my feet wet," Kaepernick said after the 49ers 21-10 preseason loss to Green Bay.
New Niners coach Chip Kelly wasn't ready to pick a starting QB for the team's Sept. 12 opener vs. the Rams.
"You're never going to make any decisions walking off the field," Kelly said. "We'll sit down as a staff and see where we are."
Kaepernick was cheered when he entered the game.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Kaepernick's pre-game actions were not widely observed and he was not asked by reporters about it after the game.
'I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that
oppresses Black people'
Colin Kaepernick decided to take a stand by sitting down.
The 49ers quarterback did not stand with the rest of his teammates during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner Friday night before a preseason game against the Packers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
"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 told Steve Wyche of NFL Media. "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 NFL does not require players to stand for the anthem.
Gabby Douglas draws ire for not pledging allegiance to the flag
"Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem," an NFL spokesperson told the Daily News.
The 49ers issued a statement about Kaepernick's decision.
"The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony," the 49ers said, via Pro Football Talk. "It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as 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 28-year-old quarterback knows he is taking a big risk.
"This is not something that I am going to run by anybody," Kaepernick told Wyche. "I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right."
Ex-Giants running back Tiki Barber responded to Kaepernick's stance via Twitter.
"Kaep is using his platform & brand to make a compelling & polarizing point, which is his right, even if it's met with ire! #idontagree"
SEE IT: Usain Bolt pauses mid-interview for U.S. National Anthem
Former Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended by then-NBA commissioner David Stern for one game in 1996 for his refusal to stand for the national anthem. He eventually agreed to stand, but he looked down, kept his eyes closed and said a Muslim prayer during the anthem. Abdul-Rauf called the American flag a symbol of "oppression and tyranny."
Kaepernick, who played Friday night for the first time in nine months due to a shoulder injury that ultimately required multiple surgeries, is competing with Blaine Gabbert for the 49ers starting gig. He sat out the first two preseason games with a sore shoulder.
He completed just 2 of 6 passes and generated one first down on three drives.
I wish we had done a little bit more but it was good to get out there and get my feet wet," Kaepernick said after the 49ers 21-10 preseason loss to Green Bay.
New Niners coach Chip Kelly wasn't ready to pick a starting QB for the team's Sept. 12 opener vs. the Rams.
"You're never going to make any decisions walking off the field," Kelly said. "We'll sit down as a staff and see where we are."
Kaepernick was cheered when he entered the game.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Kaepernick's pre-game actions were not widely observed and he was not asked by reporters about it after the game.
