The Slatest

NFL’s Kaepernick Sits for Anthem, Says Flag Represents “Country That Oppresses Black People”

Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of their preseason football game on Friday in Santa Clara, California.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is taking a stand by sitting down. A day after Friday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, it is clear that what Kaepernick did before the game even started is what is going to garner the most attention. After the game, Kaepernick clearly explained to NFL Media’s Steve Wyche why he did not stand up alongside the rest of his teammates during the national anthem. “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 Wyche 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.”

Kaepernick is hardly the first big-name athlete to use his fame to try to raise awareness about civil rights issues. But directly criticizing the flag and refusing to stand up for the anthem are actions that seem destined to cause huge amounts of backlash. Kaepernick seemed well aware of that and on Friday, making it clear he is willing to accept the consequences. “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’s interest in civil rights issues, particularly police violence against minorities, is evident from his Twitter timeline that shows lots of support for the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as statements regarding racism as a whole. This is not the first time Kaepernick refused to stand. In fact, Kaepernick hasn’t stood for the national anthem at any of the team’s three preseason games. “Last night the gesture was noticed because, for the first time this year, he was wearing a uniform bearing his name and number,” notes NBC Sports.

The 49ers quickly issued a statement regarding Kaepernick’s move, saying every individual has a right to choose whether to stand during the national anthem:

The National Anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame 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.

Kaepernick’s stance comes at a time when his football career isn’t doing so well. Although he was a key part of the team that ended up getting to the Super Bowl in February 2013,* he is now competing with Blaine Gabbert for the starting quarterback slot. And he seemed destined to lose that competition on playing alone. “Gabbert has a clear advantage over Kaepernick in just about every imaginable category with less than a week left in the preseason,” writes ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.

Considering Kaepernick’s star was already losing its shine, the big question now, notes Mike Florio of NBC Sports, is whether other players will be inspired by Kaepernick’s move and follow his lead. “It’s one thing for Kaepernick not to stand,” writes Florio. “It’s quite another if other players who actually will be, you know, playing this year do it.”

*Correction, Aug. 28, 2016, at 10:45 a.m.: This post originally misstated that the 49ers had won the Super Bowl at the end of the 2012 season. The Baltimore Ravens won that game 34–31.