San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick pledges $1 million donation to charities

It was the latest in the flurry of heated responses – both negative and positive – that Kaepernick has gotten since his silent protest became the talk of the National Football League and much of the nation last week.

“I’m already hearing it this week that next week on ‘Monday Night Football, ‘ some officers are not going to work”, Frank Saunders, president of the Santa Clara Police Officers Association, said via NBC.

It was the second straight game that Kaepernick refused to stand up for the national anthem in what the quarterback said was a response to strained race relations in America and, specifically, police brutality against African Americans.

The quarterback explained he wanted to make sure he wasn’t “just talking about” these issues, but also “actively being involved” and “actively trying to make a change”.

When the anthem was played before the San Francisco 49ers’ final preseason game, Kaepernick took one knee.

A California police union said its members might stop working San Francisco 49ers home games after quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest of the national anthem over racial injustice and police violence.

Most recently, Kaepernick kneeled instead of sitting at Thursday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

In Oakland, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane also didn’t stand for the anthem before the start of that game Thursday night.

The Niner QB was on one knee during the presentation of the Colors and the singing of the Anthem, as he continued his protest against the oppression of people of color.

Kaepernick said his cause would not detract from his role on the 49ers. Lane said he doesn’t know Kaepernick well. “I want to help make America better”, he said.

His 49ers teammate and former LSU safety Eric Reid knelt beside Kaepernick.

“I think so”, Reid told the Daily News. “It’s not right that they’re not put in the position to succeed, or given the opportunities to succeed”, he concluded. Only this time, per Reid’s suggestion, Kaepernick did not sit quietly on the bench. “No, I didn’t tell anyone I was going to do it”. “These are very interesting issues that we’re dealing with right now”.

“I believe there are issues in this country, many issues, too many to name”.

Kaepernick has received some celebrity support, as well.