As anthem controversy simmers, Kaepernick prepares to play

The San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback sat while the Star Spangled Banner played at his preseason game on Saturday.

The 49ers organization said it backed Kaepernick’s right to protest. “The cause he was going for, fine by me, but don’t do it in that fashion”, Isner added.

Rice took to his Twitter feed to slam Kaepernick and at the same time got in a sideways dig at the Black Lives Matter movement. Colin, I respect your stance but don’t disrespect the Flag.

Isner said he respected Kaepernick’s aim of drawing attention to racial inequality in America, but thought the National Football League player’s refusal to stand for the Star Spangled Banner prior to a preseason game was a poor means of protest.

Fellow Hall of Famer Jim Brown told NFL Network Monday he is “with (Kaepernick) 100 percent”.

I think a big problem here – that is most extremely represented by a certain white male presidential candidate – is the inability many white folks have to empathize with black Americans and the serious racial inequalities that exist to this day. “I don’t and I’m very good at singing it”.

National Basketball Association legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar offered a full-throated endorsement of Kaepernick’s protest in a Washington Post editorial in which he called the failure to address deep-seated racism in the United States “what’s really un-American here”. The NFL issued a statement, saying they encourage but do not require their players to stand for the anthem.

The 49ers will play their controversial quarterback on Thursday against the San Diego Chargers.