Colin Kaepernick Refuses To Stand For The National Anthem

Pro Football Talk – On a night that was supposed to be significant for what 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick did on the field, what he didn’t do while off the field will create even bigger headlines.

During the playing of the national anthem, Kaepernick sat.

The 49ers have confirmed that Kaepernick did not stand for the anthem, and they have issued the following statement.

“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.”

It’s unclear why Kaepernick sat. However, Kaepernick retweeted the following message on Thursday, which accompanied images of the American and Confederate flags: “The fact that you really believe that there is difference in these flags means that your [sic] ignoring history.”

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There’s a joke in here somewhere about being so used to sitting that maybe he couldn’t help it, can’t quite find the correct phrasing.

But the CFL seems like a pretty easy solution for everyone here? You got a bum who stinks and can’t beat out Blaine freaking Gabbert for a starting job. He’ll be owed $11.9 million to be arguably the team’s 4th best quarterback and stand on the sidelines holding a clipboard. And he hates America. I mean I don’t want to tell Chip Kelly how to do this job here but just cut his ass and let him go play in Canada? You get offset relief on some of that contract money and can develop Driskel or try out Ponder who you weirdly love, and Kap gets to get the fuck out of here and go throw footballs 125 MPH into the stands in a country that maybe he’ll like a little better. Win Win for everybody.

See? I’m not an outrage guy, I’m a solutions guy.

UPDATE

Kaepernick’s statement:

“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 NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game against Green Bay. “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.”

“This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” he said. “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.”