San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, left, and Blaine Gabbert stand on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. Green Bay won 21-10. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
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A Protest Isn't Disrespect': NFL Players Weigh in on 49ers QB Kaepernick Refusing to Stand for National Anthem
August 28, 2016
"It blows my mind how many people hate the country they live in."
After news hit that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday — citing the “oppression” of black people in America — other NFL figures weighed in on the controversy.
Zoom-in of @jenniferleechan photo during national anthem that shows Colin Kaepernick sitting on the bench. #49ers pic.twitter.com/c6F10yIIRE
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 27, 2016
From New York Giants offensive lineman Justin Pugh:
I will be STANDING during the National Anthem tonight. Thank you to ALL (Gender,Race,Religion)that put your lives on the line for that flag
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) August 27, 2016
Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert posted an Instragram photo to get his point across:
A photo posted by Tyler Eifert (@tylereifert) on
Free agent quarterback T.J. Yates:
It blows my mind how many people hate the country they live in.
— T.J. Yates (@TJ_Yates) August 27, 2016
Another signal caller, Matt Hasselbeck:
Easy way to make sure you're NOT the starting QB on opening day. #Sept11https://t.co/DyQrIOGGO5
— Matthew Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) August 27, 2016
The recently retired Tyler Polumbus:
Activists changed USA for better but have to associate Nat Anthem w/ military that die for ur right to protest. Stand up. Find another way
— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus)August 27, 2016
But CBS Sports noted that there "seems to be a divide between races over what [Kaepernick] did, something that free agent linebacker Emmanuel Acho pointed out on Twitter."
Not condoning it, but You'll be hard pressed to find an African American that chastises @Kaepernick7 for his actions https://t.co/8VOAVc6ltJ
— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) August 27, 2016
Other black players expressed similar views:
Kapernick is well within his rights to do what he did. I'm not saying I agree but I do understand why he felt morally obligated in his acts.
— Russell Okung (@RussellOkung) August 27, 2016
the flag represents freedom. the freedom to choose to stand or not. that's what makes this country beautiful. ... https://t.co/Ev5D9ACe78
— Feeno (@ArianFoster) August 27, 2016
he has the right to choose not to stand. just as you have the right to disagree with his stance. round and round we go.
— Feeno (@ArianFoster) August 27, 2016
Foster noted Yates' critique of Kaepernick in the following tweet:
a protest isn't disrespect. RT @TJ_Yates: @ArianFoster interesting how he is disrespecting the same country ... https://t.co/j6Y17i55nK
— Feeno (@ArianFoster) August 27, 2016
(H/T: Young Conservatives)
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Sr. Editor, News
Dave Urbanski is a senior editor for Blaze News.
DaveVUrbanski
Dave Urbanski
Sr. Editor, News
Dave Urbanski is a senior editor for Blaze News and has been writing for Blaze News since 2013. He has also been a newspaper reporter, a magazine editor, and a book editor. He resides in New Jersey. You can reach him at durbanski@blazemedia.com.
@DaveVUrbanski →more stories
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