Kaepernick mural removed before Super Bowl to be replaced

ATLANTA (AP, KTVU) - An Atlanta artist says a building with his mural of former 49er Colin Kaepernick was destroyed days before the Super Bowl, so eight more are being made.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports artist Fabian Williams says the building was torn down last week and was about a mile from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium that housed Sunday's Super Bowl.

Williams says he doesn't think it's a coincidence that the removal coincided with the game.

The mural was up for about two years and survived a fire that ravaged the building months ago. 

Williams said Sunday that eight locations have been confirmed for new murals, including one by him.

And just in time for the Super Bowl, the artist unveiled his new mural of the former 49ers quarterback on Sunday.

He posted a photo of his latest creation with the caption: "But on the 3rd day, he rose. From the ashes to the masses," adding the hashtag #HappyKaeperbowlSunday. 

Williams later posted another mural depicting an image of Kaepernick, saying "Heroes really out here not wearing capes!" And he thanked all the volunteers and other contributors who rallied to launch this latest project, as he praised his city of Atlanta.

In 2016, Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racism and police brutality. He hasn't played in the NFL since 2017.

Supporters of the athlete argue that he's been effectively blackballed by NFL teams because of his protest. 

Standing in solidarity with Kaepernick, many said they opted to skip watching the New England Patriots play the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53.

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Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com