Kaepernick continues national anthem protest

Backup quarterback says he appreciates signs of support from Kelly, Kerr

SEATTLE — Colin Kaepernick did not play a snap in the 49ers’ lopsided loss to the Seahawks, but he remained in the middle of the conversation and once again did not duck questions about the continuing reaction to his ongoing national anthem protest.

On Sunday, he kneeled again with safety Eric Reid during the anthem, and was joined for the first time by linebacker Eli Harold, while the Seahawks joined arms across the field in a parallel gesture.

Afterwards, Kaepernick said he appreciated all the signs of support, and he said he especially was glad to hear coach Chip Kelly’s strong words backing the movement last week.

“I think he’s a strong man,” Kaepernick said of Kelly. “I don’t know if he realizes how much that means to me, and if he realizes how much that means to these people, to these communities.

“The fact that he was willing to take a strong stand and say these things aren’t right, and that’s huge coming from a head coach.”

Kaepernick said he also was heartened by Warriors coach Colin Kaepernick, left, speaks with Seattle’s Michael Bennett after Sunday’s game. Kaepernick did not play in the loss. Steve Kerr’s words of backing and said it’s clear that the issue of social justice for minorities is getting more and more attention.

Kaepernick said he visited the Castlemont High football team at its game in Sunnyvale on Friday because he’d heard of the players’ support and wanted to see and talk to them first hand.

“It takes a lot of courage to do what they did,” Kaepernick said. “Castlemont’s also in a very impoverished area, where a lot of these issues are taking place.

“And to be with those kids — to be with those young men — and just listen to them and hear them speak about what’s going on ... what they’re fighting through ... what they’re dealing with on a day-to-day basis ... I mean ... it’s sickening to me that we allow that, and we accept that as OK.

“It’s something that needs to change.”

On a different note, Kaepernick said he would’ve been physically and mentally ready to play on Sunday if he had been called upon; he played a few snaps at the end of the 49ers’ Week 1 blowout over the Rams and hasn’t played since.

“Yeah, yeah, I think I showed that in the last preseason game,” Kaepernick said. “I’m out at practice every day, working, making sure that I’m ready for when that time does come ... .

“I’m always ready to step on that field. And looking forward to that opportunity.”