KAEPERNICK HARDLY HELPING HIS CAUSE
Sitting down during American anthem not going over so well with many fans
The Kap flap raged throughout the weekend, and probably won’t stop here.
Late Friday night, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick purposely chose to sit on a sideline bench during the playing of the U.S. national anthem, prior to kickoff against Green Bay at Levi’s Stadium.
After the game — Kaepernick’s first action of the NFL preseason, as he attempts to win his starting job back — the sixth-year passer told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche the act was a pre-conceived decision, to protest how minorities are treated in the U.S.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour,” Kaepernick told Wyche. “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.”
Presumably, Kaepernick was referring to incidents over the past year in which minorities have been shot dead by white police officers in seemingly lowthreat situations.
The 28-year-old is of mixedrace heritage, and was raised by white parents in Northern California. He told Wyche his protest was a long, thoughtful decision made earlier in the summer.
Multiple reports on the weekend said Kaepernick similarly sat on the bench during playing of the Star Spangled Banner before San Francisco’s previous two preseason games, but media did not pick up on it.
“This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” he told Wyche. “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.”
Kap’s controversial act comes at a time when racial tensions in the U.S. are more inflamed than they have been in decades.
Kaepernick was savaged in social media over the weekend, with some of his sharpest critics urging him to move to Canada if he hates America so much. Some 49ers fans even took videos of themselves burning their No. 7 Kaepernick jerseys.
Others rallied to his defence, praising Kaepernick for his gutsy social activism.
The 49ers released a statement in the wee hours of Saturday, not critical of Kaepernick’s rightful decision, while explaining how important the team views the part of the pre-game ceremony that honours America and reflects “on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens.”
The NFL’s statement said simply: “Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.”
Some NFL players and coaches did not hesitate to take a side.
“I think, personally, the flag is the flag,” New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz said. “Regardless of how you feel about things going on in America today, and the things that are going on across the world with gun violence and things of that nature, you’ve got to respect the flag, and you’ve got to stand up with your teammates.
“It’s bigger than just you, in my opinion. I think you go up there, you’re with a team, and you go and you know you pledge your allegiance to the flag and sing the national anthem with your team and then you go about your business, whatever your beliefs are.”
Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan said standing up for the anthem is “an important thing for me. I think it’s a way of showing respect for the men and women who have served our country and are currently serving our country.
“Any time I talk to my team about that, if there’s personal beliefs or whatever that keep you from doing it, I understand.
“But at the same time, you’ve got to look at the gifts that we have, the opportunity that we have to play a great game is through the men and women that serve our country. I think that’s an opportunity right there just to show respect. And I think that’s why when you see our team, every one of us are on that line, and that’s kind of our way of giving thanks.”
Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster, himself not a stranger to outspokenness, rushed to Kap’s defence, tweeting: “The flag represents freedom. The freedom to choose to stand or not. That’s what makes this country beautiful.”
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported Sunday that key Niners veterans held a players-only meeting, to try to ensure the issue does not rip apart the locker-room.
This matter aside, Kaepernick had three off-season surgeries. By all accounts, he has played more poorly in camp than he did even last season. He completed just two of six passes against the Packers for 14 yards.
Kaepernick’s chances of overtaking Blaine Gabbert to win his old starter’s job back appear unlikely, politics and activism aside. Romo Cracks Back: Those initial reports suggesting Tony Romo wasn’t seriously hurt Thursday night in Seattle — when Seahawks pass rusher Cliff Avril slammed into his back — were overly optimistic. On Saturday the Cowboys revealed that Romo has a broken bone in his back. Reports said it’s a compression fracture of a vertebrae, and Romo is unlikely to be able to safely play again until mid-October, earliest.
Rookie passer Dak Prescott — who impressed again, this time against the first-team Seahawks defence — will start Week 1 for Dallas.