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ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, left, and Blaine Gabbert stand on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. Green Bay won 21-10.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. >> 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. The NBA initially suspended Abdul-Rauf for his stance before it was lifted when he said he would stand and pray silently during the song.
Kaepernick said he is not worried about any potential fallout from his protest.
“This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” he told NFL Media. “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.”
The NFL and Kaepernick’s agent did not immediately return a request for comment.
Kaepernick is in competition to win back the starting quarterback job in San Francisco that he lost to Blaine Gabbert last season. He made his first appearance of the preseason on Friday night after missing two games with a tired shoulder. He finished 2 for 6 for 14 yards and added 18 yards on four runs.
Best thing that could happen to the 49ers is Kaepernick staying on the bench during the games too.
…another “oppressed” black multimillionaire.
Shouldn’t be playing Football period. It’s a team sport, for surely I won’t be watching 49’s games if he’s still on it.
Colin Kaepernick signed a 6 year, $114,000,000 contract with the San Francisco 49ers, including a $12,328,766 signing bonus, $61,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $19,000,000. In 2016, Kaepernick will earn a base salary of $11,900,000, a roster bonus of $2,000,000 and a workout bonus of $400,000.
Unbelievable. A black guy who is in that top one percent about which Bernie Sanders spoke non-stop during the campaign. He is almost up there with the Clintons.
Utter babooze who thinks the world owes him a living. So where are his standards when he accepts his millions of dollars from “The oppressing country and his fans?”
Man is a total loser, bench warmer is above his skill level. Would be wise to “Man Up” to his personal failures and go away. Far, far, far away.
He’s taking his que from Trump’s speeches on America failing Black lives.
Only in SF can you have a sanctuary city for criminal illegals, nudies storming McDonald’s, galvanized campuses that burn the American flag and a mixed race, part-Afro American black, NFL multi-millionare, who was adopted and raised by loving white folks. But, who conversely hates the system and Country that gave him notoriety and prosperity and the freedom to express his disdain. What ever happened to Tony’s lovely, “City by the Bay”?
Pure #BLM Liberal
Whatever happened to Tony’s city by the bay? It went to hell along time ago jk.
I lived there when Joe Alioto was mayor, some of the best days of my life.
Thank you. I was hoping someone would say that.
“a mixed race, part-Afro American black, … multi-millionare, who was adopted and raised by loving white folks.” You must be talking about Obama’s long lost brother.
I think YOU should stay on the couch.
Oh the irony of protesting the “flag or oppression” that allows you to protest the “flag of oppression”.
Bumbai, agree with Oiwi808, after being cut by the 49’ers for none performance on the field.
Trump that SOB. Leave the country if he doesn’t like it and go to Europe if he thinks it’s better. Always thought he was a loser. Is that why he was adopted?
He won’t have to worry in a bit, he be watching football from home. They probably cut him due to his shitty playing. And is is protest about the BLM. BLM should be looking at all the blacks killing blacks. Or is it only if a cop kills a black man.
Yes Jim, it has to fit that template.
Trade him to Russia. He might want to see how others have to live.
Trump + Putin = Best friends ever.
Too bad it comes down to this! There are many other ways to fight oppression. As he collects his millions of dollars on this American way of life, I wonder what he has really done to help others. I agree that this oppression needs to stop but he is lucky he lives in a Country where he has the freedoms to make change.
These rich athletes should donate some of those ridiculous money and help their poor kind. Stop the cheap talk.
Kaepernick should remember he too is a racial minority (he was adopted by a white couple) and see how much the US “oppressed” him !!!!
Shoot.. .they denied him attending college (Reno) and denied him access to play in the NFL.
BTW:
Which country does he want to move to ?
DUH !!!
He should try moving to Africa and I bet he’ll change his mind in a hurry about how he is getting treated.
Just one more reason the 49ers should get rid of him. All about getting press and his need for attention. Give him a rattle, baby bottle, change his diaper and send him home to mommy. What a waste as a human being. All show, No go!
BTW the dude plays like he is scared to get hit, mommies boy should go home. Time for a diaper change? You po-po?
As a long time 49er season ticket holder, they can kick this loser ass off the field and off the team. The guy has shown in the past he has absolutely no class and has a tough time playing the game. When he gets the next snap, the line should stand aside and let him get trampled!
your team supported his decision.
It’s a level playing field out there. Anyone in the U.S. claiming otherwise is just making excuses. It’s much easier to cry oppression than go get a job.
Much easier to blame others than do whats needed to get ahead. I do wonder what the millionaire has done for others besides sit there on the bench while his teammates appreciate the country that gave them opportunity.
Here’s an example of how Blacks are “oppressed” in the U.S.
Patrick J. Buchanan to Obama:
You say we need to have a conversation about race in America. Fair enough. But this time, it has to be a two-way conversation. White America needs to be heard from, not just lectured to. This time, the Silent Majority needs to have its convictions, grievances and demands heard. And among them are these:
First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known. Jeremiah Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American.
Second, no people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the ’60s on welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants, student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into the mainstream. Governments, businesses and colleges have engaged in discrimination against white folks — with affirmative action, contract set-asides and quotas — to advance black applicants over white applicants. Churches, foundations, civic groups, schools and individuals all over America have donated their time and money to support soup kitchens, adult education, day care, retirement and nursing homes for blacks.
We hear the grievances! Where is the gratitude?
What more opportunity is it that the White people need to give to help the Blacks?
If the poor white got this much opportunity there would be no poor white or lower class of white trash people!!
The main problem why black people are not progressing is the, “They owe me factor”!! Get it in your head! No Body Owes You Any Thing!
Obama talks about new ‘ladders of opportunity’ for blacks. Let him go to Altoona? And Johnstown, and ask the white kids in Catholic schools how many were visited lately by Ivy League recruiters handing out scholarships for ‘deserving’ white kids?
Is white America really responsible for the fact that the crime and incarceration rates for African-Americans are seven times those of white America ?
Is it really white America’s fault that illegitimacy in the African-American community has hit 70 percent and the black dropout rate from high schools in some cities has reached 50 percent?
Is that the fault of white America or, first and foremost, a failure of the black community itself?
As for racism, its ugliest manifestation is in interracial crime, and especially interracial crimes of violence. Is Barack Obama aware that while white criminals choose black victims 3 percent of the time, black criminals choose white victims 45 percent of the time? Is Obama aware that black-on-white rapes are 100 times more common than the reverse, that black-on-white robberies were 139 times as common in the first three years of this decade as the reverse?
We have all heard ad nauseam from the Rev. Al about Tawana Brawley, the Duke rape case and Jena. And all turned out to be hoaxes. But about the epidemic of black assaults on whites that are real, we hear nothing.
Nah, keep Kaepernick! What a great asset for the 49ers. I’m excited that he is still in the hunt for the starting job. What a fine example of the ultimate 49er.
A country that opposes black people? He should explain why they elected Obama to two terms of the presidency. Maybe he needs to move to another country if he hates it here so much.
I voted for the white half.
Can tell.
Kaepernick doesn’t get it. Standing for the national anthem is a sign of respect for the heroes who have fought and are fighting — often giving up their lives — to defend all of us and our right to all the freedoms that we enjoy. It’s not a soapbox to advocate pet causes. There are other platforms for protests. In this forum, Dontbelieveinmyths gets it. S/he says: “Oh the irony of protesting the ‘flag or oppression’ that allows you to protest the ‘flag of oppression.'”
Well said.
Regarding Kaepernick’s refusing to stand during the Star Spangled Banner, he may have a point. Consider the history behind this unfortunate anthem and what it commemorates:
“Oh say can you see…”
The anthem emerged from the War of 1812, in which the U.S. exterminated tens of thousands of Native Americans and stole their lands to expand slave plantations.
“By the dawn’s early light…”
The U.S. initiated the war and fought with Canada, Spanish Florida and Great Britain over “theft” of runaway slaves.
“What so proudly we hailed…”
The hero of the war, Andrew Jackson, was a violent racist who defeated the Creek with much help from Cherokee, many of whom were land owning US citizens, but once the war ended he betrayed these allies because of their race, stole their land and forced them all, women, children, elderly, on a starvation death march called the “trail of tears”?
“At the twilight’s last gleaming.”
This evil man was elected US President in a landslide because the country approved his actions.
Is it any wonder that non-Euro-Americans are opposed to saluting the flag of a white-supremacist nation and don’t want to sing its unseemly anthem.
It is apparent that idealized words and symbols of white-washed US history mean more to many Americans than 350 years of very REAL rapes, murders, lynchings, massacres, ethnic/racial cleansing, breaking treaties, stealing lands, racist laws and court opinions, denying or suppressing the right to vote, racist immigration and marriage laws, and on and on.
Now if Colin would just take better care of his mental health, he could take better advantage of his immense talent – get to sleep on time, avoid intoxicants, eat healthy and manage stress. If this isn’t enough, seek professional help. Many top performers have done so and benefitted.
Sounds as though you are the head of the anti American studies dept. at Manoa, or an A student.
Comments are too long and boring. Just skip them and go to the next one.
Kimo, it would be great if he could read your well and insightful comment. Unfortunately, he will miss what would help him become a better person. Nonetheless, thank you for an educational and beneficial post. Thanks also for quoting Dontbelieveinmyths!
Who’s being oppressed? The blacks? After all, we do have a black president. Oh wait, his black lines are African, not American and he has done nothing to better black lives, right?
Kaepernick, your disrespect leaves me to my right of not watching any 49er’s games this season, even if you are playing my favorites team. THAT is MY right!
OBAMA AND THE W-WORD
Kuokoa: “After all, we do have a black president”
Really? Is Obama really black?
Why do we continue to refer to “whites” and “blacks”?
Personally, I prefer “European-American”, “African-American”, and in the case of president Obama, “biracial-American”.
These terms are neutral, accurate and descriptive, and correspond to other such terms, such as Asian-American, Mexican-American, Cuban-American, Japanese-American, Arab-American, Italian-American, etc…
On the other hand, “white” is an offensive term of racial privilege and “black” is a term of racial disadvantage. Both can be traced to centuries of colonialism and state-sanctioned genocide and enslavement of Africans and first peoples by Europeans. For the most part, this was due to differences in superficial appearance, such as hair and skin pigmentation. Hence the terms “white”, “negro”, “black” and “colored”.
“White” was used by legislatures and civic institutions for 350 years to confer advantage on European-Americans, and to deny equal rights to all others. The terms “white” and “negro” or “black” were used in this fashion in laws and court opinions, from slavery, to Jim Crow, to the Asian exclusion acts, and they remain there to this day – in our laws and census forms, and in the speeches and sermons of our leaders.
This racist classification scheme was ingrained in laws and court opinions and was called “the one drop rule”. It persists to this day in American attitudes about race. Most folks still think that “white” means that if someone is mostly European ancestry but has a drop of African blood, or trace of Asian heritage, then they are not “white” unless they can “pass” by looking “pure white” and keep the impurity secret. This is why Obama is called black, when actually his ancestry is half-European and half-African, and his upbringing and family life were primarily European-American. By any objective measure, he should be considered more “white” than “black”, just not in America because he doesn’t look “pure white”.
The fact that “white” and “black”, racist terms of colonial privilege and oppression, persist to this day and are used freely in the USA without awareness or shame of their history and without recognition of the racist one-drop rule, is itself a reflection of the nation’s unconscious white-supremacist attitudes and assumptions.
Given the clear origin and racist use of these terms, why does our society perpetuate the term “white”, and thereby conciously of unconsciously condone “white privilege” and purity? Why do we use the term “black”? And why do we continue to use the one drop rule to distinguish between the two?
Perhaps few European-Americans object to being called “white” because, for all intents and purposes, “white” has meant “better than”. They don’t mind being considered “better” and think “what’s the big deal, get over it”. This is a big deal.
Words and labels have power. If we want to limit racist speech and support equality and unity, shouldn’t we be concerned about tolerating the casual use of offensive, divisive, racist, anachronistic descriptors?
Isn’t it past time to not only stop using the N-word, but also the W-word and the B-word?
There’s no room left on that arm for more tattoos; no wait, I see a spot.
And Kaepernick pass, is incomplete?
So who cares if he stands, sits or lays down? Why is this news?
Colin thinks Ollie Matson was treated badly in San Francisco? My ninth grade Debate CLASS teacher at A. P. Giannini Junior High School. I have not lost a debate since 1958. Colin is an idiot.
This gives one more reason to not like the guy.
Move somewhere else idiot!!!
Although I respect his stand, I would like to know what else he is doing to support the causes that he believes in. That would give me a better idea of how dedicated he is to what he believes in. Football is a team sport and his attention grabbing action is a distraction for his team. Whether he is doing this because of some issues he has with the organization I do not know. But, yes, our country is not perfect. We have problems that need attention. But he could do it in a more productive manner than disrespecting our country in front of the eyes of the world.
If he wants to go with BLM, I’d suggest the niners go with DBFC. (Don’t block for Collin)
Hey Collin, it’s your right to express your indignation to the country that has brought you boundless opportunity and to insult the brave Americans who have dearly sacrificed for your right to do just that, but it is my right to think you are a total JA, and will give me incentive to root for any team that opposes you and unfortunately the 49ers. I actually like the 49ers and hope you get cut ASAP.
Ryan Leaf, Johnny Manziel, Todd Marinovich, Colin Kaepernick.
I’m guessing that he didn’t put his hand over his heart too.
What heart?
Oh, boo hoo. I lost my starting job, so, I not going stand. Plus, I get “tired shoulder”, so, I not going put my hand over my heart. LOSER…Go play with Johnny Manziel.
Got no respect for the pea brain.
Hey loser,
There are planes leaving the country hourly that you hate, don’t let the next one takeoff without you jerk!
I just became Kaepernick Hater
Me too.
This is outrageous. He should be sanctioned by the NFL.
Wasn’t Kapernut trying to relocate to the Broncos,but wasn’t offered enough Money?
What was that saying the kupunas used to scold us when we would put too much food our plate,but was NOT able to finish it?
” What Brah? Your Eyes is Bigger than your Stomach”?Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Kaepernike’s eyes are also bigger than he is worth.
Now he thinks ,he is bigger than the rest of the Team? This is Sad. To let something like “Black Lives Matter” affect his career. And not standing up with his team mates to give allegiance to the Flag of the USA is shameful and downright disrespectful. This guys got some mental issues going on. Thats for sure…… Was it true that he would not invite his own adopted mom to watch his NFL games? Correct me if I’m wrong fellow trollers.
I say………..
Get rid of him ,Niners and Start fresh,you already got a few good, Hands Down quarter- backs. Cut him loose,he may end up being a bigger,pain in the Okulele,than “Johnny Football” Johnny Menziel.
“I have a dream that my four little chi1dren will one day
live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color
of their skin but by the content of their character.” : MLK
He’s done in the NFL. Better apply for Arena football.
His career is getting pretty close to be over i think, but i guess SFO still think he is worth all that millions.
If this nation is so bad how does he explain how well he ended up doing??
Does discrimination exist, yes of course but people still find a way to overcome and achieve. This is basically what this country was
founded on. To give people the opportunity to achieve their dreams. No guarantees and certainly not perfect.
Makes you wonder what’s up with this guy.
What a disgrace
Wrong place, wrong time. He was a borderline talent to me & now he made my decision to support him easier. Our country certainly has issues, but it’s our country & I’ll always stand by it. Bad move Kap & hope you grow up sooner than later.
Remember Cassius Clay aka Muhammed Ali?.
Yes, and many of these posts remind me of how Mr. Ali was treated at the time he refused to serve in the military. (Now, of course, he is a hero. The same for Dr. King who received his own share of “America, love it or leave it comments” but is now honored as a leader who worked for peace and equality). Sad to say, many in our great country are incapable of seeing that we are not perfect and we have made mistakes. Instead of trying to make things right, we claim that anyone who tries to bring attention to the problems here is unAmerican and should leave the country. It’s a little like being a passenger on a bus with a flat tire, and every time someone says, “Hey, we have a flat tire!” the rest of the passengers claim “Not on our great bus.If you don’t like it, get out.” So the broken bus sits there, waiting to move on.
He may not be looking for approval. But he gets it from me. There aren’t many people in America in a position to “get away with this” (they would face too much pressure, suffer too many consequences). Here’s a guy who’s essentially untouchable and who has a personal rationale for his actions. I’m glad nobody can mess with him.
As a lifelong Christian, you won’t catch me participating in public displays of religiosity such as singing “God Bless America” during the seventh inning stretch. I sing hymns in church, why would I yodel a Broadway tune in place of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”? (A quasi-religious rite that is much more relevant to an old-school baseball fan.) And I support everyone’s right to participate or not, as they so choose.
I believe all American citizens should respect the US flag and anthem in a formal ceremony, otherwise they disavow their allegiance. This is different than an individual exercising their right to free speech, which Kap could easily exhibit in a personal press conference. SF 49ers should not be forced to bend to this, otherwise they share the same perspective. (Comment from a person with an immigrant family background that includes African American.)
No need stand. Your behind going be on the bench this season anyway. Let’s go GABBERT…
That our flag was still there.
I think because his playing ability has not kept up with his ego, he is trying to get back into the spotlight by doing something notorious. Why, at this time, is he speaking out about discrimination in America? Why hasn’t he made his views public sooner? He earns millions, more than he really needs to live comfortably, how much of it has he contributed to enriching other Black or minority lives?.
I also think he misses dearly that ‘Hey, look at me” attention he once had.