Colin Kaepernick is standing firm behind his decision to sit out the national anthem. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback met with reporters Sunday afternoon to discuss his rationale for sitting during the national anthem prior to Friday’s preseason matchup with the Packers, and said he will continue to sit the anthem out until further notice.
He also responded to questions about the many people who feel his protest is disrespectful to the U.S. military. To which, Kaepernick delivered a thoughtful response.
#49ers Colin Kaepernick video Part 2 pic.twitter.com/zQxexPLKba
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 28, 2016
“I have great respect for men and women that have fought for this country. I have family, I have friends, 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 their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and liberty and justice to everybody.”
“I’ve seen certain circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and 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.”
Kaepernick also chimed in on the current presidential race. He predictably had criticism ready for Republican nominee Donald Trump, but Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton did not escape criticism either.
#49ers Kaepernick: The 2 presidential candidates we have represent the issues we have now. …
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 28, 2016
More Kaepernick on presidential candidates: "You have Hillary who's called black teens super predators. You have Trump who's openly racist"
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 28, 2016
Kaepernick was predictably the center of the media horde on Sunday, but his teammates were also listening to his words live.
One player listened live to Kaepernick, Shaun Draughn: "He stood for what he believes in. You've got to respect it" pic.twitter.com/IBstChRFvU
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 28, 2016
You can read the full transcript of Kaepernick’s media session here, and I recommend that you do if you are still struggling to understand the motives behind his protest. This is far from a popular stance, and he will continue to take a lot of heat for it, but Kaepernick is clearly serious about making a statement and is showing no signs of backing off his position.
