Kaepernick tells why he sat for anthem
Colin Kaepernick sat during the national anthem Friday night because he refused to “stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppressed black people and people of color,” the 49ers’ quarterback told the NFL Network.
Kaepernick also declined to stand during the anthem before the 49ers’ preseason game in Denver on Aug. 20.
“To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way,” Kaepernick said. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
After ProFootballTalk.com first reported Kaepernick was sitting during the anthem, the 49ers issued a statement late Friday night.
“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."
On Saturday, head coach Chip Kelly referred to the statement in discussing Kaepernick and said the 49ers wouldn’t discourage him from sitting during the national anthem in the future.
“We recognize his right to do that,” Kelly said. “It’s not our right to tell him not to do something. That’s his right as a citizen.”
Kaepernick’s decision to not stand comes after his Twitter account has been dominated by messages regarding racial justice and inequality in recent months. Kaepernick said he decided to take a more public stance after careful consideration, even though he understands it’s controversial.
Kaepernick, who is biracial and was raised by white adoptive parents, said he discussed his feelings with his family. He did not tell Kelly or anyone else associated with the 49ers before he sat during the anthem in Denver.
“This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” Kaepernick 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.”
In 1996, the NBA suspended Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf for one game for his refusal to stand during the anthem because he viewed the flag as a symbol of tyranny. Asked whether Kaepernick could face discipline, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said via email: “Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem.”
The Rev. Amos Brown, president of the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP, said he admired Kaepernick for being “true to his spirit, to his principles and not being afraid.” He also called for Kaepernick go beyond a “symbolic” gesture and commit his time and resources, financial and otherwise, to assist the black community. It’s not known in what other ways Kaepernick may be involved in civil rights.
“It takes two ways for a bird to fly and two ways for an airplane to stay in the air. And if he’s going to go somewhere — if he’s going to stay airborne — with his sentiment, he should do something to give concrete expression to his disgust with racism,” Brown said. “It’s not always what you are against, but it’s also what are you for. What are you doing that matters in this life?”
Shawn Richards, the executive director of the San Francisco organization Brothers Against Guns, appreciated that Kaepernick became the latest prominent black athlete to take a public stance. In July, a group of NBA players that included LeBron James called for athletes to be active socially in the aftermath of additional highprofile shootings of black men by white police officers.
Richards, a longtime community activist, was previously the spokesman for the family of Mario Woods, 26, who was shot to death in December by police officers in the Bayview.
“I was like, ‘Wow, I take my hat off to him,’ ” Richards said. “There’s respect and appreciation for how he feels about what the United States has done to people of color. … I read what he said about getting more involved in issues surrounding injustice. So I’m very interested to see what comes out. Having his platform, and being able to reach the masses, I’m very interested to see what he does.”
Kaepernick’s stance comes during what might be the nadir of his once promising career. After he was benched last year, he requested a trade in February, but a deal with the Broncos fell through in the spring. His trade request was fueled partly by his distrust of the team’s front office, which he believes has been the source of unflattering media reports.
Kaepernick appears unlikely to regain his starting spot from Blaine Gabbert, but Kelly said Saturday that he remains in the competition and that his refusal to recognize the anthem would have no bearing on him as a football player. Asked whether Kaepernick would remain on the 53-man roster after final roster cuts next week, Kelly referred to the quarterback battle.
“He’s competing with Blaine to see who our starting quarterback is going to be,” Kelly said.
Kaepernick was unable to compete with Gabbert during the offseason as he rehabilitated from surgeries to his nonthrowing shoulder, thumb and knee. He subsequently missed the first two preseason games because of a shoulder injury. On Friday, in his first game action in 292 days, he completed 2 of 6 passes for 14 yards and had his last three attempts batted down or tipped.
He is guaranteed $11.9 million this season, but his situation had inspired speculation about his future with the team.
On Friday, before his stance became public, Kelly said he’s never had a conversation about cutting Kaepernick. On Saturday, however, Kelly acknowledged he would be having a different conversation regarding his quarterback when asked about possible lockerroom repercussions. Kelly said the issue would be addressed Sunday after the players returned from a day off.
“We haven’t gotten any feedback from any of our players about the situation,” Kelly said. “I’m sure some of them would be aware of it after reading the accounts today. But no one has expressed anything. We’ll talk about it as a team.”