Fans respond to Colin Kaepernick sitting during National Anthem
(KTVU) - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick did not stand during the National Anthem at Friday night's preseason game and some fans disagree with his protest.
A couple of fans expressed their distaste with the quarterback by lighting his jersey on fire.
Kaepernick spoke to NFL Media saying, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color."
He added, "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."
On Sunday, Kaepernick spent nearly 20 minutes answering reporters questions and explaining his decision.
"I have great respect for the men and women who have fought for this country," he said. "I have friends, I have family who have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice for everyone, and that’s not happening."
"I mean, people are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding its end of the bargain up as far as giving freedom and justice and liberty to everybody. It’s something that’s not happening. I’ve seen videos, I’ve seen circumstances where men and women who have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for. On our land. That’s not right."