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8/28/2016 6:21 am  #1


Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest


SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) 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.

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http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/niners-qb-kaepernick-refuses-to-stand-for-anthem-in-protest-082716


We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists. 
 

8/28/2016 9:51 am  #2


Re: Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

Jerk!

 

8/28/2016 10:20 am  #3


Re: Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

Somehow he seems to miss the point that at the same United States elected a black man (twice now) for POTUS. It is NOT the United States that has the problem, it is bigoted people and there still are many. His fight is with the wrong entities. 
 


"Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"
 
 

8/28/2016 12:42 pm  #4


Re: Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

If he believes that these United States are rife with inequality and injustice his quarrel should be with the Pledge of Allegiance, not the National Anthem.


There have been times---like right after the OJ Simpson trial--that I have omitted the final phrase "with liberty and justice for all".  

But even with unequal justice this is still the land of the free and home of the brave.


Life is an Orthros.
 

8/28/2016 3:47 pm  #5


Re: Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

Our National Anthem is more than a song before every game, I wanted our players to know how important it is!






 

Last edited by Common Sense (8/28/2016 3:48 pm)


 “We hold these truths to be self-evident,”  former vice president Biden said during a campaign event in Texas on Monday. "All men and women created by — you know, you know, the thing.”

 
 

8/28/2016 6:00 pm  #6


Re: Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

I hope that the NFL doesn't discipline him.
He made his statement.
Let others judge it and respond with their own statements.
As it should be

Last edited by Goose (8/29/2016 4:20 am)


We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists. 
     Thread Starter
 

8/29/2016 11:02 am  #7


Re: Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

My two bit opinion on this is that Kaepernick can sit, stand, or do cartwheels during the anthem. It's his first amendment right and I support his right to do it.

But he has to realize that being a high profile individual in America's most popular sport with a controversial opinion open you up to a huge amount of scrutiny. People loved Muhammad Ali post Vietnam, but he was hated for a while when he transitioned from Cassius Clay.

 


I think you're going to see a lot of different United States of America over the next three, four, or eight years. - President Donald J. Trump
 

8/29/2016 12:47 pm  #8


Re: Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

As long as people remember that words and actions can and do have consequences, they are pretty much able to do whatever they like as long as it does not physically harm anyone directly or indirectly. 

I expect Kaepernick will pay a short term price for his actions. 


"Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"
 
 

8/29/2016 3:18 pm  #9


Re: Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

This "protest" by Kaepernick seems like nothing more than an attention grab from a briefly promising, now quickly fading professional athlete.  I have to wonder why he wasn't doing this when his stock was high and he was considered one of the next great NFL quarterbacks?

 

8/29/2016 3:27 pm  #10


Re: Niners QB Kaepernick refuses to stand for anthem in protest

It's hard for me to believe that this is some sort of attention grabbing scheme by the quarterback to somehow enhance his career.

Most likely it'll hurt him with endorsements, perhaps even hurt his future career in the NFL.

I think we can question what he did, even condemn what he did. But I'm willing to  accept that he's sincere in his motivations until somebody proves otherwise

Last edited by Goose (8/29/2016 3:28 pm)


We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists. 
     Thread Starter
 

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