People are burning Colin Kaepernick jerseys over his refusal to stand during the national anthem
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Your support makes all the difference.San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the national anthem at a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday citing America’s oppression of black people and other minorities. Now, football fans—who appear to mo—are setting his jersey on fire.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an interview. “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.”
In the hours following his interview with the league, fans both praised and chided Kaepernick on social media. And some began posting videos of them burning their Kaepernick jerseys.
“People die every single day defending that flag you refuse to stand for and I won’t stand for that,” one white guy said on Instagram. “This jersey was the worst $50 investment I have ever had. You should never play in the NFL again— move to Canada.”
Most of the irate fans ignored Kaepernick's concerns about racial oppression and considered his protest a blatant disrespect to folks who serve in the armed forces.
Despite the outrage over Kaepernick’s political statement, the 49ers front office has decided to stand behind their quarterback.
“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens,” the organization said in a statement.
“In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”