The Colin Kaepernick Thread...

P_T

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has willingly immersed himself into controversy by refusing to stand for the playing of the national anthem in protest of what he deems are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States.

His latest refusal to stand for the anthem -- he has done this in at least one other preseason game -- came before the 49ers' preseason loss to Green Bay at Levi's Stadium on Friday night.

"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. "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 about Kaepernick's decision: "The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. 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 and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem."

The NFL also released a statement, obtained by NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport: "Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem."

By taking a stand for civil rights, Kaepernick, 28, joins other athletes, like the NBA's Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony and several WNBA players in using their platform and status to raise awareness to issues affecting minorities in the U.S.

However, refusal to support the American flag as a means to take a stand has brought incredible backlash before and likely will in this instance. The NBA's Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets, formerly Chris Jackson before converting to Islam, refused to acknowledge the flag in protest, citing similar reasons as Kaepernick and saying that it conflicted with some of his Islamic beliefs.

Abdul-Rauf drew the ire of fans and was briefly suspended by the NBA before a compromise was worked out between the league and player, who eventually stood with his teammates and coaches at the playing of the national anthem.

Kaepernick said that he is aware of what he is doing and that he knows it will not sit well with a lot of people, including the 49ers. He said that he did not inform the club or anyone affiliated with the team of his intentions to protest the national anthem.

"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."

Kaepernick said that he has thought about going public with his feelings for a while but that "I felt that I needed to understand the situation better."

He said that he has discussed his feelings with his family and, after months of witnessing some of the civil unrest in the U.S., decided to be more active and involved in rights for black people. Kaepernick, who is biracial, was adopted and raised by white parents and siblings.

The former Super Bowl starting quarterback's decision to go public comes while he is fighting for his football life with the 49ers, who drafted him in the second round in 2011. He lost his starting job last season after being one of the most promising players in the NFL during his run under former coach Jim Harbaugh.

Over the past few months, his relationship with management has turned sour. He requested a trade last spring, which never came. He also has spent most of the offseason rehabilitating from operations to his left (non-throwing) shoulder, his hand and knee. His recovery left him unable to fully compete with Blaine Gabbert for months and has him seemingly in a bind to regain his starting job.

He made his preseason debut against the Packers and played in the second quarter, completing two of six passes for 14 yards. He looked as rusty as you'd expect from someone who has not played since last November.

Following the game, and without any knowledge of Kaepernick's non-football behavior, coach Chip Kelly said that there has never been any discussion about cutting Kaepernick. Rapoport added Saturday that Kelly will make "football decisions" on Kaepernick, despite the quarterback's comments
 

Rev

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It's sad that dipshits like this get this kind of stage.
 

L.T. Fan

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It's sad that dipshits like this get this kind of stage.
Yeah. The cause is one thing but his attitude about the nation's emblem simply leaves me with one response. He can kiss my red white and blue ass.
 

Bluestar71

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America is such a racist country it let Kap and his boys get away with raping that woman in Miami a couple of years ago. Poor guy.
 

Cotton

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Fucking moron.
 

boozeman

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I think it is funny he's trying desperately to maintain relevance by embracing his black heritage.

I guess he had to do something now since he was raised under white privilege oppression.

 

Cotton

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Jason Garrett: National Anthem a special moment; 'We want to make sure we handle it the right way'

By Jon Machota , Staff Writer

FRISCO -- It doesn't sound like Jason Garrett would be supportive of Cowboys players sitting during the National Anthem.

Two days after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem before a preseason game, Garrett was asked for his take on the pregame tradition.

"We're so fortunate to live in the country that we live in," the Cowboys head coach said Sunday morning. "It's a great tradition. It's a great song. In a lot of cases it can become an emotional situation for all of us. You think about all the people who have fought for our country and allowed us to raise that flag as proudly as we do, to live in the greatest land in the world. It's a special moment for all of us. We want to make sure we handle it the right way."

How would Garrett react if a Cowboys player chose not to stand for the National Anthem?

"I don't want to get into hypotheticals," Garrett said. "We just focus on our football team. I know it's a great opportunity for our team before a game to sit there and reflect on the great opportunities that we have to do what we do in the greatest country in the world."
 

boozeman

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From an interview last October.

‘What do I represent?’ And you know what? My racial heritage is something I want people to be well aware of. I do want to be a representative of the African community, and I want to hold myself and dress myself in a way that reflects that. I want black kids to see me and think: ‘Okay, he’s carrying himself as a black man, and that’s how a black man should carry himself.’”
 

Cotton

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:lol
 

boozeman

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Victor Cruz, who is also bi-racial, with this:

“I think, personally, the flag is the flag. Regardless of how you feel about the things that are going on in America today and the things that are going on across the world with gun violence and things like that. You’ve got to respect the flag and stand up with your teammates. It’s bigger than just you, in my opinion. I think you go up there. You’re with your team, and you pledge your allegiance to the flag and the national anthem as a team, and then you go about your business, whatever your beliefs are. Colin is his own man. He decided to sit down and sit out and that’s his prerogative. But from a personal standpoint, I think you have to stand out there with your team and understand that this is a game and understand that what’s going on in the country.”
 

Cotton

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Victor Cruz, who is also bi-racial, with this:

“I think, personally, the flag is the flag. Regardless of how you feel about the things that are going on in America today and the things that are going on across the world with gun violence and things like that. You’ve got to respect the flag and stand up with your teammates. It’s bigger than just you, in my opinion. I think you go up there. You’re with your team, and you pledge your allegiance to the flag and the national anthem as a team, and then you go about your business, whatever your beliefs are. Colin is his own man. He decided to sit down and sit out and that’s his prerogative. But from a personal standpoint, I think you have to stand out there with your team and understand that this is a game and understand that what’s going on in the country.”
Cruz just gained some respect from me.
 

UncleMilti

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CK is nothing but a bitch.
 

boozeman

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CK is nothing but a bitch.
Now he is growing out a bushy ass afro.

At least he is playing the part.

Pretty soon, the Niners cut him and his "tired arm" and he can claim he is a victim.

Just a douchebag.
 

Genghis Khan

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He needs to go back to doing the Humpty Dance. He was better at that.
 

townsend

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I'm cool with people not standing, or pledging, or whatever they want. But it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The federal government, which the flag represents, is largely who minorities depend on to fight for their rights, it's state and local authorities that are more oppressive. Of course there's no ceremony he can be an attention whore at, in that case.
 

L.T. Fan

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I'm cool with people not standing, or pledging, or whatever they want. But it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The federal government, which the flag represents, is largely who minorities depend on to fight for their rights, it's state and local authorities that are more oppressive. Of course there's no ceremony he can be an attention whore at, in that case.
I am not cool with it. If people want to protest something fine but use the forum that is appropriate. Go join a protest group that represents what you are pissed about. Don't piss on the symbol that gives you the freedom to have the right to express your ideology. That is unacceptable.
 

mcnuttz

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He reminds me of a white guy from the suburbs.

Wants to be black, just not sure how.

And now he looks like an idiot.
 

Carp

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Kaepernick has every right to not stand for the anthem. I still am trying to figure out who or what he is protesting. He is seeing things happen to people who don't have a voice or platform to be heard on. Way to be vague. Oh...Clinton and Trump are racists too, based on comments they made recently and years ago.

This is the same Kaepernick who was fined for using a racial slur to Lamar Houston and so eloquently compared the destruction he would do in Houston to the flooding they had in 2015. Yeah...he is a really good voice of the common man.
 

Genghis Khan

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Kaepernick has every right to not stand for the anthem. I still am trying to figure out who or what he is protesting. He is seeing things happen to people who don't have a voice or platform to be heard on. Way to be vague. Oh...Clinton and Trump are racists too, based on comments they made recently and years ago.

This is the same Kaepernick who was fined for using a racial slur to Lamar Houston and so eloquently compared the destruction he would do in Houston to the flooding they had in 2015. Yeah...he is a really good voice of the common man.
Well said.
 
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