Kaepernick kneels for anthem in 49ers’ 31-21 win over Bolts

Players and coaches from both the 49ers and Chargers supported Colin Kaepernick’s silent protest during the national anthem before Thursday’s preseason finale.

“As far as taking a knee tonight, Eric [Reid] – as well as myself – had a long conversation with Nate Boyer, who is a military vet”, Kaepernick said.

I just wanted to show him I support him.

Kaepernick got only scattered boos before the game and during the anthem, but Chargers fans serenaded him while he led a 16-play, 85-yard scoring drive to open the game capped by DuJuan Harris’ 1-yard TD run.

“I wouldn’t have expressed my feelings that way”, Louis Paredes said. It feels like he made a decision to change his position, by taking a knee, to be more respectful to the military, be more respectful to the Anthem, but still wanted to raise awareness to the issues he believes harm this country, and that I wholeheartedly agree with exist in this country.

But Kaepernick vowed to maintain his boycott of the U.S. national anthem for as long as necessary. Most of the people I talk to say the same thing. I think it’s quite the contrary of what some people are trying to make it out to be.

“This is a phenomenal organization”, Kaepernick said. Reid spoke with the media following the game, and discussed his support for Kaepernick. “I think he’s done a really good job from the time he was out to stay on top of things”.

In an attempt to tone down some of the anger directed toward him, Kaepernick announced the donation and also was set to joined long-time community activist Rev. Amos Brown at a church service at San Francisco’s 3rd Baptist Church on Sunday.

After cameras found Kaepernick glued to the bench, he explained to reporters that he felt a responsibility to take some kind action against racial injustice in America. “And I don’t mean no disrespect to anybody, but I’m just standing behind what I believe in”.

Kaepernick reiterated his protest has nothing to do with his feelings toward the military. “There are people that actually put their lives on the line for this country to give us freedom”.

Speaking after the game, Kaepernick said: “I’m not anti-American, I love America, I love people”.

The quarterback, who is biracial, has said he would again refuse to stand during the song because he will not “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”. “I think he would be booed out or the owners would be forced to not accept someone like him”. He’s trying to make issues in this country better.

Kaepernick has said his criticism is not directed at members of the armed forces and has said he has “great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country”.

Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington runs for a 58-yard touchdown during the first half of NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Detroit.